Wilfredo Fabiani

April 9, 1937 - October 15, 2021

Wilfredo Fabiani Franceschini Jr., a native of Jauco, Puerto Rico first-born to Wilfredo Franceschini Sr. and Rosa Julia Franceschini-Lugo was born April 9, 1937. He passed away October 15, 2021 in Barstow, California. He was a graduate of Grover Park High School in Fort Lewis, Washington.

Willie enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959 at Fort Ord, California where he completed basic training. He then was assigned to Fort Gordon, Georgia where he volunteered for paratrooper training. While at Fort Campbell, Kentucky he was assigned to Company A, 501st Signal Battalion, 101st ABN Division earning various medals and awards for his service; Vietnam Veteran, Airborne, Rangers, Special Forces, US Navy Underwater Demolition team /Seal. Upon completion of his military service he attained the grade of Staff Sargent/E-5. He was honorably discharged in 1965.

At the time of his death, he had retired from Straw Hat West Pizza Palace. Throughout the years he also worked for Florsheim shoe store, Rudes Department Store, Santa Fe Railroad, and JC Penny.

Tio Willie enjoyed various sports but he found horse racing to be his favorite while working at Hollywood and Santa Anita racetracks. He also enjoyed playing Lotto as a pastime especially with his special formula of picking numbers.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents Wilfredo Franceschini Sr. and Rosa Julia Franceschini-Lugo and his sister Edna Almodovar, his younger brother Luis Munoz-Franceschini, and younger sister Rosa J. Ibarra.

Willie is survived by his sister Rosa and brother-in-law Antonio and their children Peter Perez, Julie Perez-Tapia, and Paul Perez. He is also survived by brother-in-law Angel Almodovar and Angel’s sons and their wives: Manuel and Sonia and Rafael and Corina Almodovar. He was a beloved grand-uncle to Noah Chase Tapia; Anthony, Paul, David and Michael Pulido; Nathaniel, Gabriel and Angel Almodovar; Angel Ibarra, and sisters Celeste Ibarra and Rosa Wibcab; Liliana, Isabella and Rafael Almodovar, Jr.; and Chantelle Tafoya-Pulido, Amanda, and Luis Ibarra.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 10:30am, Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside California 92518. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at Wilfredo Fabiani Obituary - Barstow, CA (dignitymemorial.com) for the Fabiani Family.

Mead Mortuary chapel is open to the public without restrictions for services, but we do ask that you call ahead for an appointment before coming in to the office area as we are limited in the number of guest that we can allow inside the office area.