Frank Vigna was born on July 26, 1915 to Antonio and Raffaela Vigna in Agosto, Aprigliano, Italy. At 15, Frank immigrated to the United States where, after a brief stay in New Jersey, he arrived via train in Gilroy. He regarded his journey to America during the Depression as his greatest challenge. Frank met his beloved wife, Ida Vigna (formerly Ida Filice, deceased in 1985), in Hollister and they married in 1934 at Saint Mary’s Church in Gilroy. Together they raised three children, Anthony, Deanna and Marilyn.
During his lifetime, Frank extolled the value of hard, honest work. Upon arriving in California, he worked as a pruner, farm laborer, and in the Filice and Perelli Canneries. His favorite season was always summer, “when the fruit ripened.” In the late 1930’s, Frank owned and operated a Richfield (Arco) Service Station in Gilroy. He later became a master plumber and established Vigna’s Plumbing and Heating, which he considered his life’s work. During WWII, Frank worked in the Kaiser Shipyard in Richmond, CA as a steamfitter until he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served as an Army Engineer stationed in the Pacific. During this period he also owned Frank’s Quality Shoes in Richmond and Vigna’s Shoes in Albany. In 1951 Frank returned to Gilroy and purchased his Uncle Sam’s seven-acre prune ranch on Denio Avenue, where he would spend the next 55 years. It was on this ranch in 1959 that Frank built Vigna Walnut Shelling, a successful shelling and packing business.
Frank was an active and proud member of the American Legion, Elks Club and Italian Federation. Frank attended Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Gilroy for approximately 75 years.
Frank was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be dearly missed by those who survive him: wife, Frances Howson Vigna; sisters, Anna Marie and Joanna; children, Anthony (Dolores) Vigna, Deanna Goodrich and Marilyn (Steve) Rocca; his grandchildren, Eric Vigna, Greg (Angela) Vigna, Kathy (Michael) Archibald, Lori (Larry) Kent, Mark (Maria) Goodrich, Michael (Tracy) Rocca, and Brian (Rianne) Rocca; and his 19 great-grandchildren.
Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009, 12 noon at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Gilroy.
Donations to your favorite charity are preferred.
