Episode 169: In Memory of Francis Silvio Ciccarone -

Life Lessons from The Counselor

💔 A Special Memorial Episode - Host Joe Ciccarone honors his father Francis, who passed away July 3rd, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. This deeply personal episode shares the life lessons, wisdom, and legacy of a Department of Defense Hall of Fame engineer who was the family's trusted advisor for 82 years.

Key Timestamps & Moments:

• [0:00-2:30] 🕊️ Opening tribute and episode purpose
• [2:30-5:00] 👨‍💼 Francis's career: DOD Hall of Fame, Navy Yard, Pentagon meetings
• [5:00-8:00] 📝 Joe's Facebook tribute post (full reading)
• [8:00-12:00] 🤝 "The Consigliere" - Francis as family advisor and counselor
• [12:00-15:00] 🎤 The eulogy master - 25+ eulogies over 30 years
• [15:00-18:00] 📸 Magical moment: sharing 20 photos together
• [18:00-20:00] 🌺 The Hawaiian shirt story and promise
• [20:00-23:00] 🎓 POWERFUL: Career advice to grandson Luca
• [23:00-25:00] 🙏 Final reflections and gratitude

Four Pillars of Career Success (Francis's Wisdom):

1. 🎤 Be a Good Public Speaker - Stand up, motivate people, be better than average
2. ✍️ Be a Good Writer - Craft emails, memos, connect on the page
3. 🤝 Be a Good Teammate - Share credit, show up when inconvenient
4. ⭐ Keep Your Nose Clean - High character attracts good people

Power Quotes:

• 💪 "Dad, thank you for leading the way"
• 🎯 "He didn't tell you what you wanted to hear. He told you what you had to hear"
• ✨ "There's moments of magic hidden in the hours of misery"
• 🏆 "Good people attract other good people"
• 🔥 "Life is built, not born"

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Legacy Building - How one person's wisdom impacts generations
• Grief & Growth - Finding meaning in loss and celebrating life
• Family Values - The importance of being present and honest
• Career Excellence - Timeless advice for professional success
• Character Matters - Why integrity defines your reputation
• Community Support - How people show up during difficult times

SEO Keywords:

grief, loss of parent, father tribute, life lessons, career advice, family legacy, memorial podcast, Department of Defense, character building, public speaking, teamwork, writing skills, end of life, cancer journey, eulogy, family values

🎧 This episode will resonate with anyone who has lost a parent, seeks career guidance, or wants to understand what it means to live with character and purpose.

🕊️Francis Silvio Ciccarone - March 26, 1943 to July 3, 2025 🕊️