Mr. Frank James Garavano

Frank James Garavano, a businessman and son of Italian immigrants, died at his home on Sept. 9th at the age of 98. He was proceeded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Irene Stefani Garavano, along with this parents the late Constantino and Teresa Garavano. Franks families' story is a true American success story. His father arrived from Italy in 1903. After working as a dockworker, he founded a garbage business in San Francisco with one wagon, two horses, and a route. After earning enough money, he brought his wife and sister from Italy to join him in America. He and his wife gave birth to Frank on January 30th, 1913 in San Francisco. The family later moved to Oakland, where Frank was raised and attended Oakland Tech. Frank moved to Stockton in 1935 to oversee a waste paper hauling company for Fiberboard. In Stockton he met his wife, Irene. Over the years, Frank, along with Irene, his daughter, Noreen Basso and son-in-law, Gregory Basso grew the waste hauling company and founded Sunrise Sanitation, Sunset Disposal, Delta Container, Independent Trucking, Delta Paper Stock and Forward Inc. He was co-founder of Foothill Sanitary Landfill with Dante Nomellini Sr.. He retired in 1998 when he sold his companies to Allied Waste. Over the years, Frank most enjoyed traveling. He traveled behind the Iron Curtain on a business trip to Russia in 1974. Throughout his life he traveled often to his favorite country, Italy. His first trip was in 1926, on a 6 week journey by boat. His last trip was with his family in 1998, by plane. Over the years, he also visited, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, and several European countries. Frank will be remembered most for his love of his family and his Italian heritage. He was co-founder of Ligurian del Mondo and the Pacific Italian Alliance. In 1994, he received the highest civilian award from the Italian government, Cavaliere di Lavoro, at a ceremony at the Opera House in Genova, Italy. Frank was a member of the Zena Club of San Francisco, Elks Lodge #218, Rotary Club, Waterloo Gun and Bocci Club, Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Dameron Hospital Foundation, and Presentation Parish. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Noreen Basso and son-in-law Gregory. His conversations and stories will be missed by his grandchildren, Cindy Basso Eaton, (Jeff) Kevin Basso (Penny) and Lisa Basso Rossi (Mark), along with his great-grandchildren, Kevin, Kayla and Katia Eaton, Mackenzie, Lauren and Taylor Basso, Maximo, Genoa, and Santino Rossi. He is, also. proceeded in death by a sister Edith Morando and brother Peter Garavano. The family is most thankful to his devoted caregivers Julissa Franco, Claudia Yanez, Carmen Rodriquez, Teresa Lara, Esmeralda Zapian, Yolanda Montez and Maria Andrade. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests you make donations to your favorite charity.