Frank C. Mirabile Sr., founder of a Catonsville advertising business who was active in Catholic organizations, died Nov. 14 of cancer complications at his home there. He was 80.

Born and raised in Baltimore's Little Italy, he was a 1940 graduate of Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School and attended Loyola College.

During World War II, Mr. Mirabile served with the 267th Army Coastal Artillery in Seward, Alaska, and worked on a documentary film about the area.

Mr. Mirabile was president of Welch/Mirabile Advertising, which he founded in 1953.

He was a parishioner of St. Leo Roman Catholic Church, where a funeral Mass was offered Monday. He produced The Church of St. Leo the Great, 1881-1981, a book celebrating the church's centennial.

Mr. Mirabile was a founding member in 1963 of the Serra Club of Baltimore, whose members promote vocations in the priesthood and consecrated life. He was president of the local club twice and was district governor and served on the Serra International Board.

He assisted the Pallottine Priests and Brothers and Sulpician Fathers in their vocation recruitment in the 1970s and 1980s through a series of ads, and prepared brochures and newsletters for two religious orders, the Oblate Sisters of Providence and Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart.

In 1963, he received the Cardinal Gibbons Award for his work with Catholic Charities. He was also a past president of the Baltimore Art Directors' Club.

Survivors include his wife of more than 57 years, the former Venera C. Morgano; three sons, Mark M. Mirabile of Pleasant Garden, N.C., John A. Mirabile of Ellicott City and Frank C. Mirabile Jr. of Woodbine; four daughters, Lorraine Kronen and Marian Arminger, both of Baltimore, and Paula Criner and Sandra Griffiths, both of Gilbert, Ariz.; 16 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.