Frank Chesonis

1925 - 2015

Frank Chesonis, formerly of Madera and most recently of Lodi, passed away on September 24, 2015 at the age of 89.
Born December 3, 1925 in Hamtramck, Michigan to European immigrants, Frank attended Catholic schools where in the 4th grade he met his future wife-to-be, Virginia Joan Ciesielski.
In 1943, during the midst of World War II, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was stationed overseas in England where under General Eisenhower on June 6, 1944, he participated in the first D-Day assault. In December of that year, Frank fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes. Frank stayed in the U.S. military for four years, also serving in France, Germany and Austria. He earned many medals of honor, including the Purple Heart. He returned to the United States to marry his childhood sweetheart, Virginia. They had three daughters, Beverly, Patricia and Joann. Frank was employed with Chrysler Corp in Detroit for 20 years. The family later moved from Michigan to California where Frank worked and later retired from the Madera County Mosquito Abatement District. Frank loved to travel and explore the earth and spent literally hundreds of weekends with his family at their favorite Pacific Coast beaches and also in Yosemite National Park. He was a locally known geologist, collecting and exploring the properties of rocks, crystals and minerals. He was also an avid astronomer and taught his children the fundamental nature of the universe.
Frank is predeceased by his loving wife, Virginia Joan, and their youngest daughter, Joann Chesonis. Survivors are his two daughters, Beverly Quesada (Ronnie) of Brentwood and Patricia Ianni of Lodi, five granddaughters: Andrea (John) Pieretti of Stockton, Erica Teresi of Lodi, his former son-in-law John Teresi of Lodi, Karissa (Brent) Cunningham of Chico, Nikki (Robert) Harvie of San Jose and Stefanie Quesada of Brentwood, and 11 great-grandchildren: Rylan, Ethan and Chad Pieretti; Tabitha, Samantha, Carrie and Trevor Teresi; Garrett and Aiden Cunningham, Olivia Harvie, and her new brother who is due to arrive in a few days.
At Frank's request, there will be no visitation, and funeral services are private. In recognition of Frank's enjoyment and research of our planet, donations may be made to the National Geographic Association: https://donate.nationalgeographic.org. A guest book may be signed at www.lodifuneralhome.com where memories can be shared.