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WHEELING -- Successful restaurant owner and businessman Frank Carolla sponsored Wheeling's Christmas parade for more than a decade, and he is also said to have donated more than $1 million to charity during his lifetime.
Carolla died Thanksgiving day at the age of 65. He is best known as the retired founder and president of Carolla Ventures Inc., owner/operator of the Perkins Restaurant and Bakery franchises in Wheeling and Moundsville.
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery was the title sponsor for the Fantasy in Lights Parade for 11 years between 2007 and 2018.
"What a devastating loss to the community," said Erikka Storch, who served president of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce during much of Carolla's sponsorship. "Anyone who knew him well knew what a great guy he was, and that he was philanthropic.
"You could see the joy on his face when we had the parade. He resurrected the parade. He really stepped up and brought a lot of opportunities for that parade to grow to the level it has."
After Carolla retired and sold his Perkins franchises in 2018, the parade sponsorship wasn't renewed. But because of Carolla's success in the role, a number of other entities stepped forward to sponsor the parade, according to Storch.
"When he sold Perkins, there were multiple looking to take on the title role," she said.
She added that her thoughts go out to the Carolla family, and that she best knew Carolla "as a pageant dad" when their respective daughters competed.
Paul Smith of Wheeling said he and Carolla were best friends for over 20 years.
Smith did publicity work for Carolla's businesses, and he noted the process gave him insight into just what Carolla did for the community.
"During the 15 years he owned the two restaurants, he donated over $1 million to charitable causes. He didn't do it because he wanted to sell more pancakes. He did it because he wanted to do it," Smith said. "His motivation was he had done well, and realized he couldn't have done that without the community's support.
"I was privy to instances where he would help people in need. He would just help. There was no publicity, nor did he want any."
Smith termed Carolla "one of the most interesting and charismatic people I've ever known."
"He was a success at so many things - businessman, musician, a fantastic singer... and he was a great cook," Smith said.
Both Carolla and Smith belonged to the local Circus Saints and Sinners Club. In 2019, the club sought to raise $90,000 for its 90th anniversary.
Smith remembers Carolla raised more than $73,000 himself, with the charity well exceeding its goal and bringing in over $200,000.
"He was that type of person. He was always there to help," Smith said.
Bill Bryson, long-time parade chair for the chamber, commended Carolla's commitment to the parade.
"Frank was a big supporter of the city, specifically of the parade," he said. "He was a big reason why we were able to put on a quality event for the city."
While there were other parade sponsors, Carolla was the major sponsor, he noted.
"I don't know if the parade would have survived without him. I do know it would have been more difficult if he were not the sponsor."
Terry Sterling was president of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce when Carolla agreed to be title sponsor.
"(Chamber member) Jim Squibb and I approached him about becoming the title sponsor, and he didn't hesitate. He agreed to do it, and he continued for many years. It was greatly appreciated," Sterling said.
"He also worked on other projects and events for the chamber. Was a very community-minded person."
Squibb also praised Carolla's generosity.
"He was a wonderful, generous person," Squibb said. "I'm not sure the parade would exist if he hadn't stepped up. He was a very nice man."