Francesco Macchia

Francesco Macchia passed away on Saturday, May 14th, 2016 around 12:30 pm. His heart and body said it had taken enough, and it was time for him to go be with his long time love and wife, Angelina (as he called her), in heaven. He died peacefully in his home, in his bed, with his family around him. Goodbye to an exceptional man…

Remembering my Nonno – By Francesco Macchia his Grandson

I would like to thank everyone for coming today to celebrate my grandfathers life. Many of you knew him as Ba Ciccio, but I knew him as Nonno Cheech. My Nonno lived a full life with many adventures. He lived through two world wars; he actually fought in World War II. It is amazing to think of what he experienced in his 94 years of life. He married my Nonna Angela at a very young age, and together they made a beautiful family. Life in Italy was not easy, so my Nonno moved his family to pursue a better life. He migrated the family to Venezuela where they lived for several years. They eventually made it to America, Lincoln Heights. My father has shared many stories with me about struggles the family went through and how hard Nonno worked to support his family through the tough times.

My Nonno and family eventually moved to San Gabriel. The green house on the corner with the wishing well and swing set where I spent many of my early childhood years. My memories of the time spent at my grandparent’s house in San Gabriel are very blurry because of my age, but there are a couple things that stick out like it was yesterday. Nonno's big yellow Lincoln Continental with the La Cucaracha horn, and the big green dump truck that Nonno would drive to work.

It wasn’t until my grandparents moved to the house in Arcadia, my Nonna's dream house, where my most vivid memories began. I can remember bugging my dad to build a pool and low and behold my sisters and I were overjoyed when we heard the news that Nonno bought a house with a swimming pool. I along with my sisters, cousins and friends spent many summer days at Nonno’s house in Arcadia. It was the place that brought many of us in this room together.

I stand here today feeling very blessed for a couple reasons. I along with several grandsons, including my own son, have the privilege to be named after Francesco Macchia, my Nonno. Secondly, I got to spend lot of time with Nonno as a kid.

Nonno included me in many of the things he enjoyed and loved to do. He loved to garden, he had a huge vegetable garden and an amazing green thumb. I can remember picking tomatoes in the summer for Nonna and Nonno to make sauce. We went fishing together. I went to work with Nonno and we broke cement together. He enjoyed gambling and the horse races. He would take me to the Santa Anita race track. He would let me bet on horses. One time I picked a long shot winner and he thought I was a genius and he had me pick all the horses for that day. Unfortunately, none of them won, so I never got to pick for him again.

He loved to play cards, and every time we got together, he was ready to play poker. I miss the times we would get together and play cards. I know many of you in this room had the opportunity to play cards with Ba Cheech. His favorite card games were match the pot and follow the duce because duces never lose.

Nonno really enjoyed his recliner chair and when we went to visit, he was usually sitting there watching soccer, boxing, the Dodgers, or the Spanish channel.

Nonno loved to eat, and enjoyed having the family at the table whether it was holidays, BBQ by the pool, or a simple family gathering. He had a favorite song he would sing occasionally with his glass of wine in hand.

Nonno loved all these things, but what he loved most of all was his family. The smile, joy, and excitement on his face were priceless when family, especially grandkids came to visit. Even during his last days when he couldn’t even speak, you could see his eyes wide and face light up when I or any grandkid or great grandkid entered the room to visit.

He was so proud of his family. I remember being in the hospital years ago with Nonno and he told his doctor in his broken English how proud he was of all his kids and grandkids. He went on and on about how happy he was to see that we all are successful and living good lives. We are all truly blessed.

I want to share how strong of a man my Grandfather was. My father told me a story that Nonno in his youth in Italy would bet people on how strong he was. Pop told us that he bet someone he could lift a table with his teeth and he did. He was truly a strong man thanks to his strong loving heart. Nonno had a heart condition, which required a pacemaker for years, and because of this condition he frequented the hospital. There were many times I got a phone call that gramps was in the hospital and I should go see him because this could be it. It’s like every time this occurred it was going to be the last, but the man kept ticking. There were times when you didn’t think he wasn’t getting up and all you had to do was say let’s go to Las Vegas or San Manuel and he would jump up ready to go. He loved to gamble, we would have to pry him from the seat in the casinos!

About five months ago I got a call that Nonno was in the hospital and everyone sounded like this is it and the man recovered and kept ticking. He was like the energizer bunny. He was a very strong man. Nonno lived a good long life, and there are some special people that were there for him day and night.

I would like to thank my father who sacrificed so much to help, care, and support my grandfather and grandmother. As many of you know my father had a construction business with Nonno and they worked very close together for many years. I know you put your heart and soul to help Nonno and I know he is very grateful for always being there for him.

Thank you to my uncle Ralph, Aunt Sophia, and my mother for coming to his aide when no one was available to look after him.

Thank you to my uncle Arcangelo, and cousin’s Maria, Giuseppe, and Angela who lived with and cared for him daily. We all know he was not the easiest man to live with, but I know in my heart, he is beyond thankful for all the sacrifices you made for him.

And to my Aunt Anna, what can I say… You deserve a medal! You gave up so much; you sacrificed so much for Nonno and Nonna. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for what you did to care for my grandparents. The patience, caring heart, and love you gave are priceless. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My Nonno during his last days lost his voice, and was very- very weak. He could only make out some words. My last night with him, he needed assistance getting to the restroom and to bed. I helped him get comfortable in his bed and he thanked me with a big smile. Those were the last words he spoke to me. I just want to say, there was absolutely no need for my Nonno to thank me, instead I should be thanking you Nonno for being a great grandfather. Thank you for spending time with me. Thank you for loving me, and thank you for all the great memories I will cherish in my heart forever…