Frank Minunni

For those of you who knew Frank I just got word that he lost his long battle with cancer today. I have so many fond memories of Frank I don't know where to begin. He was tough as nails.I remember when he told me had cancer for the 2nd time and then the 3rd time and damn he just kept going and going,saying he'd come back to climb harder. And each time he did, until today. RIP my dear freind. 

We had a gathering in the Gunks hosted by Rich and Teri Gottlieb with Frank and Midori on May 17, 2021, understood, sort of, as a farewell event.  Here's most of the group, Frank and Midori in the middle row, third and fourth from the right.  

Rest in peace old buddy.

What an amazing fight he fought. I really admired the grace he embodied. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. 

RIP Frank.

rgold wrote:

We had a gathering in the Gunks hosted by Rich and Teri Gottlieb with Frank and Midori on May 17, 2021, understood, sort of, as a farewell event.  Here's most of the group, Frank and Midori in the middle row, third and fourth from the right.  

Rest in peace old buddy.

This is such a great picture. 

Thanks for sharing this! Frank so rarely spoke to me about  his time in the Gunks but when I looked at his FAs there I just marveled. 

He was always humble and encouraging to me, pushing me to just keep going for the next move.

More about Frank from a FB post by Christian Fracchia. I don't know how to link to a FB post (or whether it is even possible), so am just cutting and pasting here.

Yesterday we lost a Gunks icon, Frank Minunni. Frank was an active First Ascentionist in the Northeast and practiced ground up style routes. Probably his most significant contribution was in 1995 when he established Primal Scream 5.13a R at Mosher Road in the Southern Adirondacks. This is considered to be the first trad 13 in the Daks. His efforts involved going up from the ground working the crux high above a #5 nut and taking repeated 40 ft whippers. His prominent Gunks contributions were Consolation Prize 12c, Numbers Racket 12a, and Future Shock 12a R. In the Adirondacks he established House of Cards 13a (still unrepeated?), Push 12c, Queen for a Day 12a, Crispy Critters 12a, and Counting Coup 12a. He is pictured here on an early ascent of The Sting 12a in the Trapps. (Photo by Russ Clune). Frank was a well known fixture in the Gunks and will be greatly missed. Thanks to @jimlawyer for the Adirondacks FA list.

Frank was party to my very first trip to City of Rocks, as a newish climber. He was supposed to lay low, at home in Las Vegas, but instead chose to shoot up to City, even through nausea, being pretty sick, and only able to have liquids for nourishment.

We chatted on the phone, and the trip pulled together quickly. At City, it was Frank, me, my (then 20 year old) son, and another young 20ish guy living in his van who was without a partner.

It was August, really hot. It was also only a very short one night stay for myself and my son, so just an afternoon and evening, and the next morning, to climb. A memorable meal (Frank had a couple milkshakes), with the young guns being regaled with stories from a master story teller.

Everything about that trip was surreal and unforgettable. 

City of Rocks will forever be associated with Frank.

Condolences to all.

Bye, sir. I'm so fortunate we crossed paths!

Thanks for all the great times Frank. We are all lucky to have had you in our lives. I'm glad you can rest. Wherever you are I'm sure you are entertaining a crowd with your storytelling. Rest in peace my friend.

Frank's birthday was just a few days ago. So glad I got to meet him.

H.

Wow, I didn’t know that Frank had passed! Our climbing paths crossed at Bill Pierce’s rock gym in the mid-nineties during a time when we both were going through a difficult transition in our lives. He and his daughter Derrin shared my abode for a short time. His love of, and devotion to rock climbing knew no bounds. But his love and devotion to his daughter exceeded even that! He has my deepest respect. An amazing man. May he rest in peace.