Francis Frye

Francis Albert Frye born May 5, 1923 passed October 25, 2011. Frank Frye was born in Sacramento and spent his early years in Sierra City, California. While still in school, Frank worked with his father driving supplies and ore to the mines in Sierra County. He also worked in the family mine, The Old Kentuck, which is now a State Park, and several others. In 1944 Frank entered the United States Army serving in the Pacific Theater in World War II. Upon his return to California, Frank met and married GiGi Painter in Auburn. They were married for more than 60 years until her passing in 2010.

Frank’s passion was baseball, and after playing in high school and the Army, he pitched for the Auburn Maroons earning the nick name of Bunny Frye for his fast pitching.

Frank’s career with PG & E began by surveying for power and water lines all over California. He and GiGi traveled all over the state living in the smallest of towns. Frank and GiGi decided to settle down in Placerville and Frank advanced with PG&E as Hydro Superintendent in Pollock Pines at Camp 5 and Placerville. Frank was fond of saying that “he was always an outdoors man” whenever he was offered a position in management. He preferred to be hiking the lakes and mountains in the El Dorado National Forest measuring snow and maintaining spillways and flumes. Frank was assigned the task of designing two camp grounds that spanned US Hwy 88 for the Forest Service through PG & E. As Frank enjoyed camping he paid special attention to the design allowing for parking ease and privacy. When he retired from PG&E in 1984 he and Gigi traveled extensively in the southwest, Mexico and Japan. Frank was a member of the F&AM Placerville Lodge #26, Past President of Pollock Pines Rotary, and Placerville People to People and other service organizations. Frank and GiGi hosted many exchange students and opened their home as a host family on many occasions. His easy manner, gentle heart, and kind wisdom will be missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Lori and Christopher Gamble, his grandchildren Jon and Catharine Seeboth, step grandchildren Alexandria and Joshua Gamble and Brother, Earl and Betty Frye. Uncle Frank’s memory will be treasured by his nieces and nephews, and neighbors and friends. Frank will be interred at Auburn Memorial Cemetery beside his beloved Gigi. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, November 1st at 12:00 PM at the Chapel of the Pines Funeral Home, 2855 Cold Springs Rd., Placerville. Friends may sign a guestbook and leave condolences at www.chapelofthepinesfunerals.com

PH: 530-622-3813 FAX: 530-622-2629