Daniel Franklin Boitano

Daniel Franklin Boitano was surrounded by his family as he passed peacefully on October 20, 2014, to a joyous reunion with his heavenly family. Frank "Shank" was born on August 25, 1927, to Martha Jane (Gill) Boitano and Anthony Daniel Boitano in Sutter Creek, CA.

He thrived in the foothills of the Mother Lode and enjoyed the outdoors and all that nature offered with each change of seasons. Those seasons also brought the long-held traditions of hunting with family and lifelong friends that he looked forward to long after he left Sutter Creek. Following his graduation from Sutter Creek High School, Frank joined the United States Navy in 1945, and proudly served his Country while stationed at Treasure Island until 1948. Upon his discharge, he attended St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA and then transferred to Chico State where he earned his degree. While at Chico State, he met the love of his life, the beautiful and talented Mignon Lewis. Shortly after they were married, Frank began his career as a Salesman with Shell Oil in Sacramento, CA, and that is where his two children were born. He became a Land Agent and Appraiser with Shell Oil which resulted in transfers to Visalia, Sacramento, and then settling in Fresno from 1959 to 1972. In 1966, his beloved wife, Mignon, passed away suddenly after a brief illness.

He was a devoted father whose life revolved around his two children. He put his career on hold until his children were in college, and then accepted his final transfer to San Francisco, CA with Shell Oil. He then settled in Los Gatos until 2013. Frank's knowledge and experience as a Land Agent and Appraiser was well respected from Sacramento to Bakersfield and throughout the Central California Coast. He often lent his expertise to Government Agencies such as Cal Trans and the California Coastal Commission, and at times was used as a consultant in legal proceedings. After Frank retired, following 40 years with Shell Oil, he indulged his passion for food and wine. He found great joy in experimenting with recipes and the weekly bounty he would gather at the local Farmer's Market. He found great joy working in his kitchen, and what gratified him the most was cooking for others. Especially his Vasona Terrace neighbors and Los Gatos friends. Frank had an immense fondness for the aged and the very young. He was a faithful servant to the elderly and a protector and teacher to children. He was the Pied Piper to the children who lived on Ashcroft during the 1950's, and he would call them his "Ashcroft Alley Cats." To this day, many of our friends remember how he would arrive home in his sport coat and tie, then hit the streets to play catch with the kids. He didn't bother to change, he just seized the moment, grabbed a baseball glove and took off with the gang. He never said no to any street sports or child. And it didn't matter if you lived on another street, everyone was included, even the girls. At times, he would take a car load of Little Leaguers to Candlestick Park to see the Giants play. He loved those Giants and those budding base ballers. Frank's leisure time was spent traveling all over the world with his lifetime friends, Harry and Jackie Maloney, and Yvan and Sally Albert. In 2005, he took his family on a vacation to Italy to find his family's roots in Favale Di Malvaro, a small village in the hills east of Genoa. We were welcomed with open arms and lots of food in this beautiful village. This was a trip of a lifetime and it was filled with memorable tours, food and excursions to many cities in Italy and an impressive lunch in Monte Carlo. His family is forever thankful for the opportunity, experience and enjoyment that was had by all.

Frank was many things to many people. He was a character, a prankster and a naughty jokester. He lived a life of commitment, integrity, tenacity and loyalty and always had time for mirth. He was a man's man who was a hero to his family and admired and respected by friends and colleagues. He maintained lifelong friendships with schoolmates, former neighbors, co-workers and merchants. He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, in-law and friend who always put family and friends first.

Frank learned life's lessons of love and charity from his parents and he leaves that legacy of a generous heart and spirit to his family. He will be remembered by many for his generosity, unconditional love and support.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Mignon B.(Lewis) Boitano; his parents, Dan and Jane Boitano; his sister, Eleanor (Boitano) Battaglia, all of Sutter Creek; and brother, Carl Boitano of Stockton, CA.

He is survived and missed by his daughter, Kathleen Boitano, of Fresno; son, Dan Boitano and wife Susan, of Clovis; grandchildren, Frank Rodriquez, Aubria Ortega and husband John, Danielle Gordon and husband Eric, Mignon West and husband Steve, Michelle Bardsley and husband Matt; great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, Francesca, Olivia, John Anthony, Jack, Zeke, Sam, Max, Claire, Lily, Levi, Stefania, and Katia; nephew, Craig Battaglia and wife Karen, of Sutter Creek; niece, Carlene (Boitano) Wright, of Stockton, CA; and many great-nieces; great-nephews; and cousins.

We would like to thank the Emergency Room staff at Saint Agnes Medical Center for their kindness and professional care to Frank and the entire family in his last hours. Additionally, we would like to give thanks to Frank's loving caregivers, Fae and Irwin, for their daily attention and thoughtfulness.

"Say not in grief, he is no more, but live in thankfulness that he was."

A Celebration of Life will be held at New Hope Community Church, on Friday, November 14, 2014, at 12:00 noon. The church is located at 4620 E. Nees Ave, Clovis, CA, 93611. A fellowship luncheon for all will be held at the church, following the memorial service. For those unable to attend the service in Clovis, there will be another memorial service held at Trinity Episcopal Church, on November 21, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. The church is located at 430 State Highway 49, Sutter Hill, Sutter Creek, CA, 95685, across from Walgreen's. (209) 267-0255. Coffee and refreshments will be served at Jane's Hall following the service and a fellowship luncheon to follow at Mel's Diner.

In lieu of flowers, Remembrances may be made to the Hoover High School Diamond Club - Baseball Donors Club, 5550 N. First Street, Fresno, CA 93710; Hinds Hospice, 2490 W. Shaw Ave, Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93711; or the donor's favorite charity.