Francesco Truncali

Francesco (Frank)Truncali, 83, Modesto, entered eternal life peacefully November 12th, surrounded by his wife, and family. He was born Feb. 5th, 1938 in Caltabellotta (Agrigento) Sicily, Italy to parents Filippo and Margarita. Francesco worked on the family farm from boyhood until age 20, when he chose to work in Germany as a building mason. After two years, he returned home for the holidays, and a young woman, Grazia (Grace)Scarpinati caught his eye. She was from nearby Sant'Anna, but had immigrated to Philadelphia.,and returned to her homeland on vacation. It was instant love. They wed on April 26th, 1965 in S. Anna at La Matrice, the Mother church.. The newlyweds traveled back to Phila. to start a family. Frank found employment at K&D clothing, a manufacturer of fine mens' wear in which he pressed the suits of celebrities such as John Wayne and Dean Martin. They resided with Grazia's parents Giovanni & Giuseppa Scarpinati. The first son Philip was born in 1966, the second John, in 1968, and the third Pellegrino (Pino), in 1969. Frank enjoyed evenings with friends and family dining, telling stories and playing Italian card games like Scopa and Briscola. In 1980, the family decided to move to California to be closer to their Sicilian relatives. Frank found employment at various jobs, but then became a custodian at Sylvan Union School District elementary schools for 17 years until retirement in 2003. He received awards for his meticulous work ethic in maintaining clean classrooms and both teachers and children loved "Mr. Frank." Frank enjoyed working, gardening, home improvement projects, and family dinners. Frank is survived by his wife Grazia, his sons Philip (Maureen), John, and Pino (Giovanna), 5 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. He is honored to have two grandchildren serving in the U.S. military, Frank (Navy) and Josephine (Army). Also survived by brother-in-law Pellegrino (Carol) Scarpinati, and his goddaughter/niece Josephine (Steve) Lambert, Siblings are brother Paul Truncali (Judy) and sister Pina (Pietro) Todaro in Buffalo, N.Y., sister Maria (Biagio) Marciante of Mantua, N.J., and sister Peppina in Caltabellotta, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family in the U.S. and Italy. The family wishes to thank Dr. Provenzano for his excellent care, the staff at Memorial Hospital, and SEVA Hospice for their compassion and service. We are grateful to Father Sam West for consoling the family and administering the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and Last Rites, and the Apostolic Pardon to prepare Frank for his journey home. We appreciate the services of Lakewood Mortuary staff in providing assistance with planning the services.

Visitation Sunday Nov. 21st - Lakewood Funeral Home – Heritage Chapel, 900 Santa Fe Ave., Hughson, Ca. 95326 12:00pm – 4:00pm; Rosary at 3pm.

Mass of Christian Burial Nov.22, at 10:00am St Joseph's Catholic Church 1813 Oakdale Rd. Modesto, CA

Interment - St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery following Mass 1141 Scenic Drive Modesto, Ca. 95350