Frank Venaglia

Venaglia, Frank Known as “Mr. Capo” to many with his great humor and sparkling green eyes, Frank Venaglia, a long time businessman/restauranteur passed away on May 23, 2015. Born in Chicago in 1928, Frank met his future bride Anna Psaltis, an opera singer from Albuquerque, NM, and fell in love. Frank and Anna moved to Albuquerque in 1955 to open the first pizzeria in Albuquerque called Casa Luna Pizzeria , The Home of “all you can eat spaghetti on Wednesday night for .99 cents”, located across from UNM. This was just the start. As business grew, so did Frank. He and Anna purchased the Cottage Bakery building across the street from their first location; and business exploded. His brother Roy Venaglia and his family moved to Albuquerque from Chicago to open what was Casa Luna number two on east Central and Casa Luna number three on San Mateo, where the first drive up/pick up window was offered. In the 60’s Frank was ready to open a night club; the first of its kind in Albuquerque. “Venas Roaring 20’s” offered dinner and Las Vegas Acts. Frank would travel to Las Vegas and California to scout acts for his club. Many names like Dick Contino, Nelson Eddie, and The Diamonds performed at Venas Roaring 20’s. Three restaurants and a night club were not enough. He then opened Casa Luna in Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Las Cruces, Flagstaff, AZ, Vail, CO, and Colorado Springs, CO. He started a frozen food line and sold frozen pizza and ravioli to many stores in New Mexico and through Texas. In 1976 Frank retired from the restaurant business. Four months later he was bored. He and his wife Anna got in their car to search out another building. Six months later Capos Piazza was born on 8th and Lomas. It didn’t stop there, Villa Di Capo on Central and 8th was next, then Capos Hideaway on North 4th, Capos Deli on 4th and Central, another Casa Luna next door, Capos Corner in Red River, Frank Jr’s location, Capos Bottega in Bernalillo, and the list goes on. Always the visionary, throughout five decades Frank opened over 47 restaurants and night clubs in New Mexico, Colorado and Texas. Frank was a man who loved life, loved people and loved “the deal”. A loving husband, father and grandfather, “Family always came first!” He touched so many lives and will be sorely missed! As Frank would say “I didn’t know how to fry an egg” yet that didn’t stop him from taking a risk. He was the “gutsy guy”. Those who knew him know he is already making his next deal. Goodbye for now Frank, we will see you when the time is right! Frank is survived by his devoted wife, Anna Venaglia; loving children, Frank Venaglia II, Madelyne Venaglia, Giovanna Venaglia Mourning and son-in-law, Dan Mourning, and Robin Lu Harmon; his wonderful grandchildren, Frank Venaglia III (Tre), Brook Bassan and her husband, Uri Bassan, Anna Mia Mourning and Nick Mourning; great-grandchildren, Ethan Bassan, Molly Bassan, Luke and Zack Bassan; his loving brother from Albuquerque, Roy Venaglia, his son, Fred Venaglia, Julie Venaglia Garcia, and Roy Venaglia, Jr. and their children; his loving sister from Chicago, Millie LiPetri, her sons, Sam LiPetri and his wife, Deborah LiPetri, Len LePetri and his wife, Deanna LiPetri, her daughter, Mary Jo Stephansen and her husband, Wayne Stephansen. The rosary will be recited on Friday, June 5, 2015, 11:00 a.m., at FRENCH – University, with the funeral service to immediately follow. Interment will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 7999 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Please visit our online guestbook for Frank at www.FrenchFunerals.com. FRENCH – University 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333