Frank and Mary Visconti Memorial Reefs

This reef is a memorial for Frank and Mary Visconti, each with their own reef.

Frank Louis Visconti passed away peacefully on July 16, 2021.
He was born in Fremont, Ohio on June 21, 1939 to Dr. Francis A. and Louise Visconti. He spent his childhood in Fremont, where his parents were the town doctor and nurse. Their office was in the family home, where he was a frequent patient himself; perhaps most notably when he proved that he was no match for the neighbors’ cars driving through the alley behind their house. He attended St. Ann’s Catholic School in Fremont, Ohio, St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Delaware, and later graduated from Ohio University. He married Mary Visconti (Hoeflinger) in 1964, and moved his family to Tallahassee, FL on a leap of faith to start the Wendy’s Hamburgers franchise in 1974.
After many successful years with Wendy’s, he went on to build a commercial real estate empire, was elected to the Tallahassee City Commission, and was the Mayor of Tallahassee in 1988. Frank never met a stranger, was always looking for the best deal, and loved spending time at the bagel shop or the bar with his many buddies. He loved fast cars, boats, buying and selling, and he cherished Sunday dinners with his family. He gave generously to his family, friends, colleagues, and often to strangers in need. He was quick witted, outspoken, loved to laugh, played hard, and enjoyed life.

Mary Catherine Visconti was born in Toledo, Ohio on July 1, 1942  to Paul and Virginia Hoeflinger. She was the only daughter among four brothers: Richard (Dick) Hoeflinger and his wife Betty Bajo, Tom Hoeflinger, Jack Hoeflinger and his wife Bev, and Joe Hoeflinger and his wife Becky.  She was preceded in death by her husband Frank; Mary and Frank were married (twice) for 35 years. Mary had four children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Her daughter, Frances, and her husband Philip Sandon; granddaughter Catherine, her husband Mack, and great-grandson Clarke; grandson Caleb. Her daughter, Lisa, and her husband Randy Pridgeon; grandsons Matthew, Nicholas, and Hayden. Her daughter, Lora, and her husband Erich Hauser, grandson Dylan, and granddaughter Larsen. Her son, Brandon Visconti. Mary was an avid gardener, animal lover, crafter, and loved painting almost anything. She enjoyed taking walks, having coffee with friends, a giant glass of ice water, competitive ballroom dancing and spending time with her family. Holiday and family dinners were at Granny’s house, her most cherished times were spent together with her children and grandchildren. Granny was ready for them with a snack, their favorite foods,  and her special chicken noodle soup when they were feeling sick. She was eager to cook them sloppy joes, and she never failed to have ice cream sandwiches. Mary was a board member for the Children’s Home Society, and she cared for many newborn babies waiting for their forever homes. She enjoyed working, and she always liked to stay busy. She will be especially remembered for her work with Wendy’s as a secret drive-thru timer, her years spent at the Maclay Clinic, and her time at Stein Mart. She loved making crafts, and the gift baskets she made were admired by all who received them. She sewed handmade Halloween costumes and she even created seasonal outfits for her favorite cement pig and goose for all occasions. She loved to decorate for the holidays; her house at Christmas, never without breakfast pizza, was the center of every family gathering

This reef consist of two 8′ Florida Limestone Artficial Reefs (FLAR) deployed on 2 May 2022, verified by MBARA.   25 May 2024, Mary Catherine Visconti’s memorial FLAR was added to the reef. Surveyed by divers Bob and Carol Cox and Brian and Kimberly Higdon on 25 May 2024.