Obituary of Frank Rocco DiMaggio

Monterey - On December 24, 2010, surrounded by his family, Frank Rocco DiMaggio passed away and entered the Kingdom of Heaven to be reunited with the love of his life, Lia DiMaggio, who passed away on March 16, 2010. Frank was born on August 10, 1929 in Trapani, Italy and immigrated to America in 1947 after World War II with his parents and siblings. He married Lia in 1953 and raised his family in Monterey and was employed with the City of Monterey as a firefighter until he retired. He enjoyed stamp collecting, reading World War II books, and taping biographies and history documentaries. He was devoted to his family and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, especially in his retirement years. Frank is survived by his four children, Carmela Vinson, Rocco DiMaggio and his wife Kathy, Joe DiMaggio and Bridget Luke, and leaves his grandchildren Frank DiMaggio, Gina Luke and Alex Vinson. He is also survived by his sister Carmela Cardinale and brother-in-law Gasper Cardinale, brother John DiMaggio and many nieces and nephews, including a great niece and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Giuseppa and Rocco DiMaggio and brother Leonard DiMaggio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to San Carlos Cathedral Restoration Fund, 500 Church Street, Monterey, CA 93940 or to Westland House, 100 Barnet Segal Lane, Monterey, CA 93940. The family gives special thanks to Dr. John Koostra and Dr. Shehab Saddy for taking care of our father for several years, Stella Bennett of the Westland House and her incredible team for all their love, caregivers Nancy and Lute from Community Caregivers, and the wonderful staff of Community Hospital. A special heartfelt thanks to the Carmela and Gasper Cardinale family, who not only have been a major source of support, encouragement and love throughout the years, but also a second set of parents, brothers and sisters to the Frank and Lia DiMaggio children. Visitation will be held at the Mission Mortuary on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. at San Carlos Cathedral with burial at San Carlos Cemetery.