The Frank Varischetti Foundation was established in 2007 to commemorate the late Frank Varischetti while carrying on his vision of bettering communities and helping others. Frank came from a humble beginning that shaped him into the kind and generous man who people remember today. He was born to Italian immigrants in the small town of Coal Hollow, Pennsylvania on December 18, 1938. After high scho
ol, he worked in various industries before becoming involved in construction in the mid 1960s. Frank always said he was not a doctor, lawyer, or accountant, so he had to find something that he could master in order to provide for his family. He knew manual labor was his specialty and an area in which he could thrive. Varischetti Construction began as Frank, one employee, and an old Ford pickup to get them to and from the small excavation jobs they worked. In 1967, Frank purchased a sanitation business and named it Varischetti Sanitation. Frank grew the business from one truck to one of the larger, privately owned sanitation businesses in Pennsylvania. In 1986, he finished the construction of Greentree Landfill, which was the first completely lined, state-of-the-art landfill in Pennsylvania. After 19 years in the waste management industry, he sold Varischetti Sanitation to Browning-Ferris Industries but remained with BFI for a short time as a consultant. In 1989, Frank started Apple Tractor, which still operates today as a construction equipment dealership. in 1991 to provide consulting services for the waste industry, as well as real estate development. In 1995, Frank, along with his sons and Raymond Calhoun, started Guardian Elder Care, to purchase and operate nursing facilities. Guardian today owns and operates 33 nursing facilities, and includes a rehabilitation services company, a long-term care pharmacy, and a home/health company. His name is most often associated with the qualities of hard work and generosity. He was a charismatic and motivational leader, and also the first one to lend a helping hand. Frank was a very hard worker who always had a vision and a drive to succeed. In addition, he was a charitable man who gave from the bottom of his heart and never expected anything in return. He was a strong advocate for giving back to his community and helping those in need. He believed everyone was equal and deserved to be treated with respect, which is what made him so likeable. He had his share of adverse situations, but he never used those as an excuse. Instead, he worked as hard as he could each and every day. He paid his dues to get to where he was in life. Frank valued the gift of life and always said every day was to be enjoyed and was a blessing. He lived by the saying, “Dream big, work hard, and have fun.”
Sadly, Frank passed away on August 22, 2002, but his generous spirit lives on through the mission of The Frank Varischetti Foundation, which is to continue his good will and keep his memory alive by helping those in need.
