I know I echo many of Frank’s former students when I say that he was a master teacher and a wonderful person. He mentored me in the graduate program at Drew, and I learned much about teaching just from watching him. Not only was he a brilliant scholar, but a thoughtful and caring man. He sent me a holiday card every year after I graduated (no doubt he sent out many), and I truly appreciated that he kept in touch with me long after I earned my PhD from Drew. I send my sincere condolences to his family, and I am saddened to hear of this great man’s passing. However, he has left an impressive legacy, created many lovers of Shakespeare, and inspired young people to become effective teachers. In that regard, he will live on for many years to come. God bless!
Patrick Horan
Frank was my Shakespeare professor, but over the years he became a dear friend and, in the most meaningful way, a sort of grandfather figure to me. I'll always treasure our evenings at Shanghai Jazz -- the conversation, the laughter, the music.
He spoke of his family often and always with such love and pride. My heart goes out to them.
Thank you, Frank, for your wisdom and friendship. You will be deeply missed.
I just learned of Dr. Occhiogrosso's recent passing and am so saddened. Frank was such an inspiring professor and doctoral mentor during my graduate studies at Drew University in the Caspersen School. I will treasure his insights on Shakespeare and theater history. And--perhaps most importantly--he was a dearly kind and good person. I will always remember him, his warmth, and his sincere support as a dedicated educator. My condolences to his family.
Sincerely, Liana Piehler
Oh gosh, how we loved his Shakespeare classes! One of my absolute favorite teachers ever. We tried to convince him to be in one of our plays once, but he turned us down out of shyness. But boy could he bring a monologue to life in class! One of the true greats.
Dr. Occhiogrosso was the most inspiring and encouraging teacher and advisor. I still can see his comment in graceful pen in the margin of an early draft senior thesis "I read on, with interest!". Thank you Dr. O, for re-introducing me to The Tragedy of Macbeth and letting me see it fresh through your great eyes, to appreciate the astonishing modernity in Shakespeare's telling of this ancient story. Lecturing to the class you articulated what many of us may have sensed: that the first time you encounter this play it has a powerful familiarity, as though it resonates with our collective memory or some deep, universal principal of narrative in the human mind. What a legacy, to have opened so many minds to the joys of literature.
Another important memory for me of Frank. He was my point person on the Committee on Faculty when I came up for tenure at Drew. I remember him sitting in on a class of mine in the old Commons Theatre. I'm sure I was terrified! I didn't really know Frank all that well then. But of course he was so supportive of and generous to me afterwards, and I'm sure I owe my career, in large part, to his support.
Professor Occhiogrosso was passionate and deeply engaging in class. I remember him handing out course evaluations at the end of the semester and encouraging us to “be frank.” Pause. “Of course, it’s easy for ME to be Frank.” Another pause as the students begin to giggle, realizing Frank is his first name. I took his Shakespeare seminar my senior year. We did the histories. It was glorious learning the Henrys from him. A compliment from him in class or on a paper meant the world to me. May his beautiful spirit rest in peace.
When I arrived at Drew University in 1981 from Savannah, Georgia, Dr. Occhiogrosso was so kind and welcoming! His guidance as my advisor and his teaching are some of the fondest memories I have of college. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Wishing you peace and the comfort of beautiful memories.
Frank helped inspire my own love of Shakespeare. It was always a pleasure when I had a chance to work with him on several of my Shakespeare productions when I was a member of the Theatre and Dance faculty at Drew ( also, eventually, for 40 years … we old Italians had longevity!). Frank was truly a man of Shakespeare and incredible insight into the plays, but he was less so a man of the theatre. He knew exactly what a given moment of a play should be, but he didn’t always have the patience to wait for actors to discover his insights.
His He was about the nicest person one would ever want to know, and I mean that sincerely. And his dry wit was hysterical! He will be missed.
Professor Occhiogrosso was one of my favorite professors. As knowledgeable as he was about his subject, he always listened to and seemed to enjoy his students' perspectives. Even after I graduated, he took an interest in my own academic career. I am lucky to have learned from him.
Heartfelt sympathy to Jane, Julia, Jeanna, and Laura.
I feel sadness for your loss and and the loss to my memorable Madison social circle.
I will remember Frank with fondness. Although quiet, He was always an affable presence.
And where ever our group was meeting, I was always glad Frank was there.
Sincerely, Donna Pesci (Landrigan)
Frank was a colleague who made it truly enjoyable to teach at Drew. He was a brilliant Shakespearean who inspired me to teach the Elizabethan theater in my English history courses. I loved working with him to bring the First Folio to the Drew campus some years ago. It was always a treat to run into him at the Chatham Shop-Rite. He was a wonderfully decent guy, whom I will sorely miss. Jonathan
Frank was a gentleman and scholar and a warm friend. He was one of the rare, and sadly ever rarer, breed of true humanists who believed deeply in the power of great literature to enrich human minds and lives.
