Frank Andrew Dagostin

Frank Andrew Dagostin, age 78, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2018, surrounded by family and friends in his home in Bel Air. Born in Conyngham Township PA., May 24, 1940 to Frank and Anna Dagostin, he spent his early years working on a dairy farm.

At 19, Frank met the love of his life, Shirley Brugger, and they were married on May 4, 1963. He attended Penn State University, majoring in Chemical Engineering and later earned a Master’s Degree in Management from George Washington University.

In 1962 Frank accepted a civil service job at the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, where he worked for 39 years. He became a leading expert in binary chemical weapons, and in his career spent time in Iraq in support of the United Nations Weapons Inspection Team.

Frank and Shirley moved to the Homestead Village neighborhood of Bel Air in 1967 where together they raised four children. Frank was a well-loved, active member of the Bel Air community, and was nominated as one of Harford County’s Most Beautiful People for his service to the community. He won several awards for his impressive duck carvings and stunning orchids with the Maryland Orchid Society.

He was involved in the Bel Air Recreation Committee for 45 years and served as president of the organization for 10 years. Along with several other volunteers, Frank helped pioneer the Bel Air Rec Soccer Program. He coached soccer, softball and baseball for many years.

He was an active member of St. Margaret’s Church and was known to bring home anyone in need of a meal. Frank could often be found helping at events around town, including running the roast beef stand at the Bel Air Festival for the Arts, firing up the grill at St. Mary Magdalene to serve hot dogs, lining the fields for the sport season, or helping neighbors with snow removal.

Frank will be lovingly remembered by his wife Shirley of 55 years, his four children, and their spouses, all of Bel Air: Sherry and Nick Mastromanolis, Lisa and Rusty Fleming, Frank and Beth Dagostin, and Scott and Jenni Dagostin; and seven grandchildren: Daniel Fleming, Abby Fleming, Sean Fleming, Manny Mastromanolis, Andrew Mastromanolis, Jackson Dagostin, and Landon Dagostin. He is survived by his sister Barbara Bellas and her husband John of Mountaintop, Pa.; and his niece, nephews, and many cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Frank can be made to the Kaufman Cancer Center, c/o Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, Suite 405, Bel Air, MD 21014 or the Salvation Army, PO Box 309, Havre de Grace, MD 21078.

Many have shared the following sentiment: Frank has had a lasting impact on everyone who has met him and has been a role model in so many ways. There has never been a more selfless, humble, down-to-earth, intelligent, curious, life-long learner.