Frank Penale

Frank Richard Penale (September 27, 1919 - November 21, 2000) was an American Golden Gloves boxer and baseball umpire. In 1991, he was inducted into the Niagara Falls Umpires Hall of Fame and was also awarded the Tony DeVivo award, which is awarded by the New York State Baseball Umpires Association. Penale was the first winner of the DiVivo award. The award was eventually renamed the Frank Penale Award. Penale was a member of the Niagara Falls Umpire Association from 1948 to 1989, serving as the president of the Association for several years.
Boxing background
Along with being a professional umpire, Penale also was a World War II veteran, and also was an amateur boxer, who won several awards. Penale was born in Niagara Falls, New York and died in Lewiston, New York. He also worked for Nabisco at their factory in Niagara Falls.
Penale won the 118-pound Golden Gloves title at age 16. He won 33 out of 38 amateur fights.
Baseball background
He served 39 months in the military during World War II. After returning, he played third base on Nabisco's championship softball teams in 1946 and 1947.
Penale joined the Niagara Falls Umpires Association in 1948 and in 1950, he was elected secretary-treasurer, a position he held until 1977, when he was promoted to president. In 1971, the NFUA became the official group for the Niagara Frontier Baseball League. He would prepare the leagues schedule and would assign officials for games. He umpired in the first New York State Baseball tournament in 1982 and would also make appearances until 1987, when he retired.
Death
Penale died at Mount Saint Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, New York at the age of 81.

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