Frank J. Calabrese passed away peacefully in San Luis Obispo after an incredibly courageous battle against multiple forms of brain cancer. Son of Dr. Savin D. Calabrese, Eve Calabrese, and Theresa Calabrese, he was born at Wheeler Hospital on September 25, 1946. He attended St. Mary’s Elementary School, Bellarmine College Preparatory, Gavilan Community College, and California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo.
Frank was gifted in many ways, especially in music, and anything mechanical, electronic or technical. At the age of 13, he became a Ham radio operator and made his first radio commercial with a friend for a local pizza parlor. As a young man, he worked in a variety of jobs in Gilroy from playing drums in a polka band, and repairing televisions for a local appliance store to driving a taxi and servicing tomato harvesters. Frank served in the United States Navy during the Viet Nam war as a videographer preparing T.V. programming and creating “familygrams” to send to sailors and Marines overseas.
As an adult, he continued pursuing his many diverse interests–working as a technical specialist for KSBY television station, establishing his own electrical contracting business, conducting quality control at Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, designing a unique camera crane used in film making, doing voice-over work for commercials, and making occasional appearances in a cable “Do-It-Yourself” television show. For the past 23 years, he devoted his energies and talents to the community of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, which he dearly loved, working in various capacities, including instructor in the field of industrial arts, and technical specialist in fire alarms systems. At the time of his death, he was writing a field guide on industrial fire alarm systems.
Frank always had great stories to tell. He loved animals and enjoyed trucks, gardening, cooking, and music of all kinds.
He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife of 21 years, Pamela Logan, sister Madeline Damkar, brother-in-law, Harry John Damkar, nieces, Andrea and Francesca Damkar, and nephew Savin N. Damkar. He is also survived by cousins Fran Yinger, Jay Yinger, Jim Yinger, David Yinger, Leanne Yinger, Patty Yinger and Joanne Lienti as well as many cousins in CT, NY, ME, and NH.
His tender soul, sense of humor, and gentle disposition will be in our hearts and memory forever.
Private graveside services will be held on September 25th, 2009, in Los Osos, CA. A memorial celebration of his life will be held at the Cal Poly Arboretum on October 25th, 2009.
A memorial scholarship fund is being established in his name at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Requests for further information on the endowment fund and expressions of sympathy can be directed to: 260 Bonnie Lane, Hollister, CA 95023.
