CHURCH VOLUNTEER REMEMBERED AS CARING NEIGHBOR, FAMILY MAN.

Byline: Lisa Van Proyen Daily News Staff Writer

Normally, Christmas tree sales would be booming this time of year at St. Bridget of Sweden Catholic Church. But on Tuesday, the baseball field stood quiet as only one tree was carried away.

That particular 9-foot noble fir was placed inside the church - to be trimmed by friends and family in memory of Frank Augone, who voluntarily ran the tree lot each year to raise school scholarships in the name of his deceased son.

Augone, 47, died last week of an apparent heart attack while carrying fresh trees onto the lot, friends said.

But they added that it's been one tragedy after another for the Augone family. Life had been difficult for the Augones after losing their 19-year-old son, Frankie Jr., to a car accident three years ago. And then Frankie's dog died shortly afterward.

``(The dog) was the last thing they had from Frankie. All these things contributed to him being very heartbroken,'' said Suzette Goebel, a church secretary and family friend for 12 years. ``We believe he died of a broken heart and not a heart attack.''

The day of his death, thieves stole 30 of the trees off the lot.

``He was upset about that,'' said Patty Watsabaugh, a secretary for the school at the church. But when a fresh shipment came in, his face lit up, she said.

``He was so excited because they were so fresh,'' Watsabaugh said. ``He was real optimistic. Even though someone had stolen the trees, he knew they were going to do well.''

While unloading the shipment, Augone collapsed, she said. Angela Lee, a close family friend who lost her son and husband the same year Augone's son died, performed CPR on him and felt his last breath, she said.

But if the New York City-born Augone had to die, friends said shortly before a rosary service Tuesday night, what better place than where he volunteered countless hours to sell Christmas trees to raise money to help pay for low-income children to attend the Catholic school?

``It's not just a baseball field of the school,'' Watsabaugh said. ``This was his family. And he was doing this not only in memory of his son, but for all the children. That's the kind of person he was - very giving.''

Children, adults, friends and family alike at the church Tuesday described Augone as a hard-working, loving family man who was quick to help anyone.

``He was the best father and the best son and the best human being that I knew,'' Augone's mother, Diana, said as she wiped away tears. ``He worked hard all his life. He was my only son. He was family-oriented. He loved his son dearly.''

Augone worked for a telephone company and was a longtime church member. He served as president of the Men's Club at the church and had been raising money to buy the trees and overseeing the Christmas tree lot for years, Goebel said. He also helped with Sunday breakfasts.

``He was really nice. He was my brother's baseball coach,'' said Brady Long, 8, of Chatsworth. ``He was always buying stuff for his son. When I was with his son, Frankie, at the baseball game, he was pitching to me and Frank was helping me.''

Augone is survived by his wife, Marie; daughter, Maria Snook, 25; son, Daniel, 22; and his mother. His funeral will be held at St. Bridget of Sweden Catholic Church at 9 a.m. today.