We welcome this little fella to our family;) With our recent loss he is a blessing and we see much of his departed grandfather in him;) Weighing 7lbs 15oz and measuring 20 inches long he arrived on Thursday, Sept. 25th. Mom and son are doing well and this Nona (Italian for Grandma) is overjoyed! Yes, there is that fine line of loss but as the circle of life continues we must rejoice in the "good" God gives us and understand that those who have left us are in a "better place"......Grandpa Frank, he has your smile;) Hug Life, Marylou
I met him at his workplace, a restaurant named Francesco's...It was December, 1971. We chatted awhile and he asked for my phone number. I gave it to him and thought nothing more about it. The next day at my place of work a delivery man came into the office with a beautiful bouquet of roses. All the girls ran to the counter, all hoping the flowers were for them. I didn't bother as I was certain they were not for me. My boss said Mary, these are addressed to you. I stuttered and said, "really?".....I placed them on my desk and opened the card which simply read "From Frank"..........and the story began!
We dated for a little over a year, wonderful dates, some which included having dinner at The Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco and visits to Las Vegas to see a shows by well known entertainers. One of my favorites was a trip to Disneyland which showed how he could behave like a child but was definitely a man;) We were married on Feb. 10, 1973 choosing a Catholic Parish. After the ceremony we followed up with a sit down dinner and reception at the restaurant, yes, you guessed correctly, Francesco's..;) We danced to our favorite Italian band till all hours and left for our honeymoon the next day. We arrived in London and visited Germany, and then spent the majority of our 2 week time in Italy. We met up with family and attended parties and banquets in our honor. It was wonderful, being a new bride was like walking on clouds and this man I had married was funny, caring and full of passion for a love of LIFE!
We settled in our first apartment as husband and wife, he working at the restaurant and I at my secretarial job. A few years later our daughter was born, Francesca Geraldine arrived on March 23, 1975. He was so excited to see this tiny little girl that had her father's smile;) He showered her with love and spoiled her with toys or was that what I did, no, I recall we BOTH did. Time passed and 5 years later our son, Anthony Dewey, was born, Dec. 11, 1979 and when he learned he had a son he wept..... we were so happy and feeling blessed that God chose to give us one of each, a boy and a girl and life was good. He worked and I stayed home and took care of our home and children. Holidays held the most wonderful memories, a time when grandparents were abundant as were sisters and cousins. A time for growing and learning and how quickly the time went by. Both children did well in school and followed thru to college. They now are married, settled and expecting children of their own;)
Darker Days........he was diagnosed a few years ago with a difficult illness but continued to keep a positive outlook on life. The doctors were amazed at his ability to fight the demons inside that were trying to harm him. He retired, traveled, fished, bought those infamous toys that grown men buy;) Life was good and he talked to the children at least once a day by phone. He always kept the communication open! Being retired he had more time to give to his children who he loved with all his heart.... He was looking forward to the births of his first grandchildren, and then.........life took a harsh turn. He was diagnosed with a terminal illness and there were no cures, antidotes....only hope and that is what he kept in his heart!
After many doctor visits, tests and a breakdown of his body and soul he spent days with his daughter and then days with his son. His wishes were to pass from this world at home, with his family.......and, on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 he, surrounded by his family took his last breath. He reached for my hand in those last moments and I held on tight, as if by holding tightly he would not slip away but that is not how the story ends. He left our world and he is now in the loving arms of our God.
He will be remembered as caring, loving, accommodating, helpful, kind, generous and funny. His legacy shall continue thru his children and their children and the circle of life will flourish. He made his mark in many ways, he was a successful restaurateur, a loving father, husband and friend. He was Frank Joseph Bargiacchi, a man of his word and a man whose honor is to be admired and hopefully taught to his grandchildren, and their children and on and on.................
I shall miss this man, Frank, more than I ever imagined I could miss anyone. He was the one I loved and will continue to love till the end of my time. I know he is in a better place, I know he is surrounded by God's generous and unconditional love and I know he is at peace.............
