In Memoriam: Frank D. Stella

Frank D. Stella, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Detroit-based F.D. Stella Products Co., passed away Oct. 3 at age 91. In addition to his eponymously-named E&S dealership, he was also the chairman and CEO of Stella Int’l., a New York consulting, joint-venture and importing firm.

A longtime member of the Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association, Stella was an active community volunteer, holding seats on the boards of numerous civic, business and educational organizations. Among the numerous awards and honors for his commitment and dedication, he was the 1995 recipient of the George W. Romney Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism and in 1997, was selected as Michiganian of the Year by the Detroit News. He was married for 53 years to his wife, Martha; survivors include six children; 17 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two brothers.