Sheldon Spreen Frisella

SHELDON SPREEN FRISELLA November 10, 1946 - July 6, 2006 Though having battled several infirmities, Corkie was taken to God unexpectantly and early in Wailuku, Maui. Born in San Francisco on a rainy night, he arrived in the world to bless his parents, Frank and Everline Spreen Frisella, after interrupting Mama's favorite musician, Cole Portor's Life Story. From birth, a comedian, he paid them back ten fold for his sudden entrance. Raised in San Carlos, California, he graduated from San Carlos High - a bright, quick witted student and a good athlete. An extremely multi-talanted person, very creative, he did everything from making fine jewelry, to creating sculptured personalized comic characters, lapidary work, antique clock collecting, antique car collecting, writing and illustrating stories for children, the abilities were endless. A fabulous cook, whose creative dishes were legendary, he was also father and mother to his children for many years. Always of strong Christian beliefs, he was a proud U.S. Marine Sergeant, serving eight years in the regular reserve. Of third generation of Italian/German immigrants, he deeply loved America and all its diverse people. He loved his country as he did his family and would have sacrificed himself for either . Sheldon's last few years of existence speaks to his strength. Even though he was blind in one eye, ninety-three percent blind in the other and a one legged amputee, he lived alone, kept a clean home, cooked, continue to write, took himself to church, shopping all over Maui, and even made several trips to California. Think about it - an amazing man. Many Mahalos to Mrs. Vicki Gomes of Maui, though suffering a deep loss of her own husband, helped enhance and extend Sheldon's life greatly. A great hole in their life, that is not fillable, will be felt by his survivors - daughter Kristi (Damian) Lee, Kameron and Kyrra Lee, son Scott (Courtney) Gianna Frisella, sister Evie Reynolds (Don), Rob (the very supportive) and Todd Reynolds, brother Frank (Patti), Frank & Tony Frisella, Elena Meehan (Jim), Dee Dee Bunde, Andrea Hamel (Jon), Nicole Spennato (Henry) - plus cousins Jerry & Barbara Berger, Joy Roselini and other loving cousins, family members. Right up to the end "Cork" ever, the jokester, did his finale. Mrs. Gomes arranged for a paddle canoe to take the family out into the ocean to scatter Sheldon's ashes. As all family members were aboard, the canoe rolled over, with everyone going into the sea, including Son Scott with his brand new digital camera in his pocket. Sheldon's ashes, then floated off, which were retrieved by Daughter Kristy, who had to swim to get them. As they all landed ashore, the Hawaiian boat man asked, was Mr. Frisella, a jokester, being told yes, he said I thought so. In 10 years of doing this, I've NEVER had a canoe go over! Son Scott, fearing the worst, waded to shore, sopping wet. He pulled his camera out of his pocket that had been underwater ---- bone dry ---- ya think? It seems the bright stars burn out first, but Corkie put a lot in the dash between 1946 - 2006. SHINE ON - WE ALL NEED YOUR WARM GLOW AND LOVE