Frank De Marco Jr.

1925 - 2022

November 26, 1925 - April 20, 2022 A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and trusted friend to all who knew him, Frank De Marco, Jr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded with love by his family on the morning of April 20, 2022. He was born at home in Los Angeles to Frank and Jennie De Marco. He attended John Burroughs Middle School, Los Angeles High School, and the University of Southern California. A World War II veteran, he served in the US Army Air Corps and was honorably discharged in 1948. He moved on to pursue a life-long career in law, graduating from the USC School of Law in 1951 and entering private practice with Guthrie, Darling & Shattuck. As a founding partner of Kalmbach, De Marco & Knapp, his career weaved through the business lives of industrialists, institutions, real estate entrepreneurs, sports and entertainment icons, a sitting U.S. President, and many close friends. He often recalled with great satisfaction his representation of Victor Desny before the California Supreme Court's landmark decision in Desny v. Wilder, an intellectual property opinion that remains cited frequently today. Frank was fortunate to blend his passions for the law and thoroughbred horse racing, culminating his career as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Secretary and General Counsel of the Los Angeles Turf Club at Santa Anita Park before retiring in 2020.

Frank married his eternal love, Rosalie, in 1958 and had five beautiful children. Frank and Rosalie shared a love and devotion to each other that is rarely seen today. Frank was a kind, generous, and compassionate father to his children and his grandchildren and loved them all very much. Family always came first. Frank was happiest when everyone gathered at home for a big meal, sharing stories about "the olden days" and celebrating triumphs, or just talking as long as the family was together.

Frank was a proud alumnus of the University of Southern California, and he enjoyed tailgating at football games with his family and Phi Kappa Psi fraternity brothers over the decades. Frank was a man of faith who loved God and dearly held his devotion to Christ. Frank was known for his big heart that touched many lives. He is dearly loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew him, and will remain in our hearts forever.

Frank is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Rosalie, children John (Elena), Thomas (Leslie), Maria (Darren), Peter, and Michael, and grandchildren Stephanie, Gregory, Robert, Andrew, Helena, Sophia, and Christopher.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 26 at 11:00am at Holy Cross Mortuary, Risen Christ Chapel, 5835 W Slauson Ave Culver City, CA 90230. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations in his memory be made to his favored charities, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.