Frank F. Favazza Jr., a general contractor who was a member of the Maryland Racing Commission, died of Parkinson's disease complications Wednesday at Lorien Mays Chapel Health Center in Timonium. He was 82.
"He was a true American dream," said former Mayor Thomas J. D'Alesandro III, who was a close friend. "He started as a manual laborer and became one of the top general contractors in Maryland."
Born in Baltimore and raised in the Pimlico section of Northwest Baltimore, Mr. Favazza worked alongside his father at a produce store and with his mother at their Boarman Cafe on Reisterstown Road, where the Favazzas were known for their pizzas and other dishes. He attended Polytechnic Institute until the 10th grade, when he left school to help support his 10-member family in the 1930s Depression. He was later awarded an honorary high school diploma.
At the end of World War II, he joined the Navy and served as a gunner and a payroll clerk on an aircraft carrier.
Mr. Favazza started his career as a carpenter for Modern Construction Co. After joining the Wildberger-Best Co., he became a foreman, project superintendant, head estimator, expeditor and purchasing agent.
"He was an outstanding estimator," the former Baltimore mayor said. "He could have also been a standup comedian. I could hear him tell the same joke a thousand times and I'd still laugh."
In 1956, Mr. Favazza opened his first office on Charles Street. He began with $5,000 in capital and went on, nearly 20 years later, to construct his headquarters at 201 Padonia Road in Timonium. His firm was one of the top Maryland contractors. It did $40 million in business annually.
Over the years he built numerous Holiday Inns, including 15 in Maryland, and plants for Head Ski Corp., Londontowne Inc. and United Iron & Metal. He helped renovate the old Memorial Stadium and constructed the tunnel passageway at Pimlico Race Course that allows fans to walk to its infield.
As Baltimore's harbor began to be redeveloped, he built the Anchorage residential tower and marina on Boston Street. He constructed the St. James apartment house on Charles Street in North Baltimore and 10 shopping centers.
He was also involved with the Frenchman's Reef and Morningstar Beach Villas in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. With a partner, Jonas Brodie, he developed Annen Woods in Pikesville. He also had interests in Deerfox in Timonium, Oakhampton in Timonium and Bynum Ridge Industrial Park in Bel Air.
Mr. Favazza built projects for the Har Sinai and Beth El congregations and the Bais Yaakov School and the Talmudical Academy.
A thoroughbred racing enthusiast, he owned and operated Triple F Stables and Triple F Farm in Hunt Valley. He raced his horses at Pimlico and at tracks in Delaware and Florida for more than 40 years. Gov. Martin O'Malley named him to the state's racing commission, on which he served until his death.
Pope John Paul II inducted him into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and conferred upon him a Papal Knighthood.
He was the 1975-1976 president of the Maryland Association of Engineers and an active supporter of the Italian American Charities Association. Mr. Favazza was the founder and president of the Padonia Foundation, a nonprofit organization that made philanthropic grants to religious, cultural and community causes.
Mr. Favazza was an active member of Hillendale Country Club in Phoenix in Baltimore County. When the club had a serious fire, he handled its reconstruction. The club designated the Favazza Grand Ballroom in his honor.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier Church, 13717 Cuba Road in Cockeysville, where he was a founder.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, the former Emma Elizabeth Dalcin; a son, Frank F. Favazza III of Ocean City; a daughter, Dr. Antoinette "Toni" Favazza of Wickford Point, R.I.; three brothers, Vincent Favazza, John Favazza and Steve Favazza, all of Baltimore; a sister, Frances Lazarus of Baltimore; and three grandchildren.
jacques.kelly@baltsun.com