Frank Fabbro

1928 - 2015

Frank George Fabbro

January 2, 1928 - October 13, 2015

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, business and community leader, Frank will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

A great story teller with an undercurrent of humor, he appreciated simple things -- spending time with loved ones, being a sports fan, the energy of the restaurant business, cooking for his family, and holding court at the dinner table where he was always happy to share a few "tall tales" from the past.

Born in Redwood City, Frank attended Mt. Carmel Elementary School and Bellarmine College Preparatory, where he proudly played football. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in Japan during the Korean War.

Through the years, Frank found enjoyment from his community involvements including being a 40-year member of the CYO Golf Tournament Committee that serves as the annual fund-raising event for the CYO Summer Camp, a long-time member of the Italian-American Social Club of Menlo Park, and a member of the Knights of Columbus, among others.

In addition, as an avid golfer, he founded the much-beloved annual Fabbro's Golf Tournament and Dinner that started as a smallish event that grew in popularity and size over a period of 25 years during the 1970's-1990's. Who could forget the priceless keepsake each participant received by having your picture taken with the infamous life-sized cardboard cutout of your amiable host, Frank Fabbro.

But it was as the owner of Fabbro's Restaurant that most would probably remember him best. Born in 1928 during prohibition to Italian immigrant parents, Frank was literally born into the business. As legend has it, his father George was a bootlegger who ran a speakeasy and his mother Mary was a wonderful cook who often fed the clients that stopped by. Frank was born in the upstairs family home of the building that eventually became Fabbro's Restaurant in 1933. Starting out washing dishes, learning to tend bar from his father, and learning to cook from his mother, he acquired the skills that would serve him well in the years to come.

Upon his return from the Korean War, Frank set aside previous dreams of going to law school and decided to take over the restaurant from his ailing father. Shortly thereafter, while attending Bob and Nadine Franceschini's engagement party, he met Mary Milani from Kentfield, California. After a courtship that involved countless trips back and forth over the Golden Gate Bridge, they were married in 1956. Frank and Mary raised their family of six children and eventually built Fabbro's into an iconic and successful Italian-American restaurant serving businessmen and families from up and down the Peninsula.

Frank seemed a natural behind the bar serving drinks and telling stories or playing dice with the patrons while Mary greeted the countless regulars who had become part of the Fabbro's family over the years. Sadly, after nearly 40 years together, Frank lost his wife and business partner, Mary, when she passed away in 1994.

Following Mary's passing, Frank met Janice MacLeod at Fabbro's and in 1997 they married, working together at the restaurant and building many lasting friendships. Frank cherished his time with Janice and when Frank retired in 2002 they spent many good years together traveling and socializing with friends.

Frank is survived by his wife, Janice (MacLeod) Fabbro; his sister Sarah (Fabbro) Balocco; his brother-in-law, Msgr. Joseph Milani; his children Cate Fabbro, Barbara Fabbro (Dennis Curtin), John Fabbro, Frank Fabbro, Mary (Ed) Seckendorff, and Michael Fabbro; and his grandchildren, Elena Curtin, and Courtney, Erin, Audra, Anthony, and Jeremiah Fabbro.

A memorial Mass in celebration of his life is to be held on Saturday, November 14, at 10:00 am at St. Pius Church, 1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City. Reception to immediately follow at Homer Crouse Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Mission Hospice of San Mateo (www.missionhospice.org) or (650) 554-1000.