Francis John Kasimatis

April 11, 2024 Frank Kasimatis died unexpectedly in his sleep on April 11, 2024, at his home in Torrance, CA. The cause of death was determined to be high blood pressure and heart disease (atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease). He was 88.
Born Francis John Kasimatis to Nicholas Jerome Kasimatis and Catherine Frances Kasimatis (nee Gillig) in San Pedro, CA, the youngest of six brothers. His father immigrated to the US from Kythera Island, Attiki, Greece, traveling from Port Said, Egypt, and through the Suez Canal to Sydney, Australia, where he spent 2 years in the restaurant business, before continuing on to the US aboard the Moana using a ticket for passage issued to George Milos, arriving in San Francisco, CA, on Christmas in 1912. His mother arrived in America in May 1914 from Donnenhem, Alsace, Bas Rhin, now France, Germany at the time of her departure, aboard Vaterland on its maiden voyage, the largest and fastest ship of its kind in the world at the time, arriving in New York Harbor before the outbreak of Word War I; the Vaterland later confiscated by the US and used to transport troops to Europe in support of the Allies. Catherine Frances traveled with her uncle Andre Gillig and cousin Julia, entering the US at Ellis Island, then leaving immediately for the west coast where Julia was to marry Andre Mekisich of Dalmatia, Austria at the time.
Frank grew up in San Pedro, CA, attended Mary Star of the Sea and 15th Street Elementary Schools, Henry Dana Junior High School, and graduated from San Pedro High School, taking his diploma from night school in 1955. He enlisted in the US Navy 4 days later. He also attended Los Angeles Harbor Junior College after his military service, studying electronics.
In the Navy he served aboard the USS Skagit (AKA-105), a Tolland-class attack cargo ship operating between the western Pacific and operations along the West Coast, south to Acapulco, Mexico, and north to Alaska making ports of call in Japan, Formosa, Hong Kong and Singapore, achieving the rank of Engineman Petty Officer 3rd Class.
Based in Coronado, CA, as a member of Beach Jumper Unit One, he was near his older brother Nicholas' family in San Diego. He supported his sister-in-law, Mary Frances Kasimatis (nee Ross), during the pregnancy and birth of her second son, Mark Steven, while brother Nicholas was himself overseas; he later was chosen as godfather to Mark. He joined the reserves in 1959 after a non-combat knee injury and was honorably discharged in 1963, having received extensive training on radio and electronics.
For the next 35 years he worked in the military electronics field, the last 23 years with Hughes Aircraft. During his career as an electronics technician, he was often recognized by his employers for his teamwork, leadership and technical competence while his divisions met or beat production schedules and quality standards on projects, some secret, including the B-2 Bomber. In his later years at Hughes, he was a union shop steward; he retired in 1990.
In retirement he extensively pursued a variety of hobbies including especially boating, hunting, fishing, and also tennis and biking. His hunting trips took him to the high desert, mountains and rivers of southern CA and Mexico. He held a Mexican hunting license and visited Baja often to fish and hunt. In his later years he became a gun hobbyist and marksman, collecting, assembling and restoring vintage and classic weapons, reloading his own ammunition in a shop he built for that purpose in an extra bedroom, and shooting targets, often escaping to the high desert to shoot, even into his eighties.
Known as "Johnny" to family (there was already another Frances in the house, his mother) and "Uncle Johnny" to his many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, he never married but was always a favorite uncle, enjoying and encouraging visits and correspondence. Visitors were always welcome in his home. He was a generous host. As the last of his generation in our family, he cared for precious family histories and had a remarkable memory. He thoughtfully preserved family legacy furniture and memorabilia for later generations. He was a devoted brother and shared a house in Torrance with older brother Leon, who had suffered from polio as a child, the two senior men supporting each other, hosting visiting family, offering meals and barbecues. He was famous for his apple pie, made from the fruit he had grown, and other specialties, including grilled meats and fresh fish.
"Frank", as he was known to his classmates, friends, colleagues and neighbors, valued self-reliance and possessed the abilities, skills, and good health, to live independently until the very end. Even so, he benefited tremendously from his neighborhood community of Torrance, who supported and looked out for him for which the family is grateful.
Baptized Roman Catholic at his mother's insistence, he was never comfortable with organized religion but prayed the rosary often.
Over the years, he supported many charities, most benefiting the disadvantaged or damaged, including St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the Shriner's Children's Fund, Disabled American Veterans, Wounded Warriors and Beacon House of San Pedro.
His ashes will be scattered at sea in a private ceremony for family, joining his brother Leon, in the coastal waters off Southern CA where he often fished.
A man of few words and deep thoughts, he was kind, gentle, and had a good sense of humor and a warm laugh. He will be missed.