Life Tributes for the week of 11/5/19
Frank Bottini
Frank Bottini was born in Westwood, California on July 18, 1923 to Antonio Bottini and Prudenza Della Piazza Bottini. His father and mother came from Cosasca, County of Trontano, Province of Novaro, Italy. His father arrived in the United States in 1914, and his mother arrived in 1921, along with his 6-year-old brother. His father worked in the Red River Lumber Company before moving to Susanville. His father also worked in the mills in Susanville.
Frank was baptized with the name Francis Louis in the Church of Our Lady of The Snows Catholic Church in Westwood, California on Sept. 16, 1923 by the Reverend P.J. McCarthy. His sponsors were Luigi Domini and Fiore Catherina. He received his first communion at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Susanville. He attended local grammar schools and Lassen High School.
Frank Bottini was a Veteran of WWII, entered into active service in the U.S. Navy December 30, 1942. Boot camp was spent in Idaho at the Farragut Naval Training Station. After the Landing Craft Boat training, he departed for the Asiatic-Pacific stationed on the Green Islands. Frank’s rank was a motor machinist’s mate, third class. A machinist’s mate was responsible for the continuous operation of the many engines on the Landing Craft Unit 3 (LC#3). They included Boat Pool 12 Navy 16, Boat Pool 12 Navy 3202, and Boat Pool 15 Navy 3205. Frank received the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. While serving in the Navy, Frank was known to his Navy friends as “Boots.” Frank returned to the United States and was honorably discharged on Jan. 16, 1946.
Frank Bottini and Beula Cory were engaged in December 1945 and married June 1, 1946 at the First Christian Church of Reno, Nevada with mutual consent in the presence of Reno and De Lane Favero. They were married for 70 years.
Frank started out working in the lumber mill. He began logging for James and Leroy Purdy. He bought his first logging truck in 1957. He logged for many years. He also hauled equipment for the forest service. He used his belly dump to haul dirt for companies around the city and county. He was a master welder, fixing equipment, making furniture and designing art out of any metal he could find. He retired at 80 years old, not really. Frank was a member of the Elks Lodge #1487 for over 60 years.
Frank has two daughters, Deanna (David) French, Susanville, California; Toni Verducci, Las Vegas, Nevada; three grandchildren, Tosca Verducci, Las Vegas, Nevada; Danae (Mike) Leahy, Carson City, Nevada; and Darin French; six great-grandchildren, Stephan Ferris and Taylor Malone, Connor Leahy and Kylar Leahy, and Breanna, Sierra, Darian, and Summer French. Family members that have preceded in death include his wife, Beula, his father and mother; step-father, James Luigi Zunino; his brother, Secondo Tony Bottini; and his sister, Madalena Bottini Andreatta.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Lassen High Alumni Association P.O. Box 471, Susanville, CA 96130. The family express a special thank you to Veterans Home Care, Banner Hospital Susanville and Surprise Valley Care in Cedarville, California.
Services will be held at a later date.