Frank Cirill

1922 - 2017

Frank F. Cirill was born on November 8, 1922, in Buffalo, New York to Italian immigrant parents. Frank passed away peacefully of natural causes at the age of 94 on January 7, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. When Frank was 15, his family moved to San Diego and he graduated early from San Diego High School to join the U.S. Merchant Marine and served as Chief Mate during World War II and the Marshall Plan. In 1950, Frank moved inland to Sacramento. He was a proud River Park resident for 52 years. Known as the "Protector of the American River Parkway", Frank devoted his life to preserving the American River Parkway against development threats and ensuring adequate flow in the lower American River. Since 1968, Frank served as either a board member, President or President Emeritus of the Save the American River Association and led many efforts to preserve and enhance the Parkway's ecosystem, wildlife habitat, waterway and recreation resources. Frank was a guiding light for the 1976, 1984 and 2006 American River Parkway Plans. For 21 years he successfully fought the East Bay Municipal Utility District from taking American River water from the Folsom South Canal. Frank was an engineer and construction estimator from 1950 to 1987. The highlight of his career was serving as chief estimator with Continental Heller Construction and overseeing the $68 million restoration of the state Capitol from 1975 to 1981. Frank was an avid outdoorsman, fly fisherman, swimmer, runner, bicyclist, kayaker and Nordic skier. Among other endeavors, Frank served on the Sacramento County Parks and Recreation Commission from 1973 to 1978, founded the Sacramento Southside Striders running group in 1975, co-founded the Capitol Nordic Skiers cross-country ski club in 1980, and, after designing the original race course, spent decades on the organizing committee as Race Director and Race Director Emeritus of the Eppie's Great Race. He was that race's first Ironman in the age 60-plus division and he was a Masters Class Nordic Ski Champion. Frank continued running 20 miles a week on the Parkway until he was 86. His last voyage in the Pacific was at 88 years old when he served as a working crew member aboard the Hawaiian Chieftain. Frank was a long time member of the River Park Neighborhood Association Board of Directors and a member of the American Merchant Marine Veterans, Sierra Club, Italian Cultural Society, Dante Club and St. James Armenian Apostolic Church. A burial at sea near the Golden Gate Bridge from aboard the SS Jeremiah O'Brien liberty ship was held for his immediate family. Cirill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Doris; his son Curtis Cirillo (Soussan Cirillo), daughter Lisa Cirill (Kevin Shirley) and three grandchildren Rose, Wolfgang and Levon. A celebration of Frank Cirill's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 10, 2017, along the American River's edge at the picnic area across from the golf course clubhouse at Ancil Hoffman Park, 6700 Tarshes Drive, Carmichael, CA 95608. Remembrances in his honor can be made to the Save the American River Association at www.sarariverwatch.org/ ways_to_give.