Frank Anthony Maruso

Frank Anthony Maruso was born into a Roman Catholic family in Salerno, Italy on 21 November 1903, to Luigi (d. 6 June 1929) and Stella Maruso, one of at least three children (including Antonio 'Anthony', b. 14 Feb 1896, and Maria 'May', b. 15 July 1899).

He married Rosa M Demasi [also variously recorded as Demoss, Demoes, Demoz] (19 Jan 1904, Fabrizia, Vibo Valentia, Calabria –1977), with whom he had eight children, including Ruth (c. 1925, married Amos Massaro, New Castle PA), Esther (c. 1927, married Thomas Seymour, Montgomery AL), James H (1928–1978; Trenton NJ); Thomas S (1929–2013; Erie, PA); David F (1930–2009; Trenton NJ); Paul (Brooklyn, NY), Daniel (Glassboro, NJ), and Calvin R (1934–1960). Rosa arrived in the USA as a toddler with her mother in 1907, having been preceded by her father Dominic (who arrived in 1906). The family settled and took up farming and labouring in Beaver County, PA. Luigi Maruso had arrived in the USA on 15 May 1905, and took up work as a watchman - the Maruso family was living at 320 5th Ave., New Brighton, very close to Beaver Falls.

Maruso was educated at Duff's Business College, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and became a machinist with the Moltrup Steel Products Company in Beaver Falls.

In 1923 Maruso was converted to the pentecostal faith, and baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit. Within a year (despite his lack of training) he felt a call to ministry. While still near Pittsburgh, he had considerable influence on the future CCNA leader, Louis A. DeCaro (1920-2009). Teaching himself by diligent Bible study and research, Maruso became a key figure in church planting in Pennsylvania, including in the towns of Pittsburgh, New Castle, Bessemer, Farrell (with Peter Bonafiglia), and Washington (with Thomas Tedeschi).

In 1927, Maruso helped establish the Italian Christian Church in New Castle, which in 1948 became the Christian Assembly Church. In 1949, he transferred to Trenton, NJ; and then to Glassboro in 1957. In the early 1960s he became administrator of the Pine Grove Church in Malaga.

He pastored in West Pittsburgh, PA (6 years); New Castle, PA (23 years), Trenton, NJ (4 years), Erie PA (2 years), Bessemer PA (8 years); Washington PA (co-pastor, 6 months), as well as in Malaga NJ and Glassboro, NJ. In addition to building new churches and manses in several of these locations, he surveyed Missionary work in Italy, and commenced a radio ministry in Trenton, NJ (3 years).

Within the CCNA he served as President of Missions Board, Convention Moderator, Missionary Representative in Deputational work to Italy, Assistant Administrator of North-Western District Camp, the Administrator of Pine Grove Camp; and as Assistant General Overseer, Christian Church of North America.

Bongiovanni reported that his favourite verse was John 3:16.

Maruso retired to New Castle, PA., and was living at 45 Lattavo Drive.

Maruso died at Jameson Memorial Hospital in New Castle, PA, aged 72, 'after an extended illness'. A service was held at Christian Assembly Church on Highland Ave, and Maruso was buried at Graceland Cemetery. [New Castle News, 20 March 1976]

Sources

Ancestry.com.

Bongiovanni, G., Pioneers of the Faith (Farrel, PA: Sound Ministries, 1971)