Francis Vincent Spiller Jr.

1931 - 2024

Francis Vincent Spiller Jr.
10/06/1931 - 03/29/2024
Frank was born at Saint Francis hospital in San Francisco to parents Francis Spiller Sr. and Bernice (Thoney) Spiller. He was baptized at Mission Dolores Catholic Church. Frank's formative years were happy as he was surrounded by the Spiller and Thoney families in San Francisco. The family lived in the Mission District, ultimately settling in the Sunset District in 1937. Frank received 16 years of Catholic education at Saint Anne's School, Saint Ignatius (SI) High School and the University of San Francisco (USF), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. He was the first in the family to earn a college degree. The Jesuit education would have a profound effect in shaping his beliefs, values, moral compass, and work ethic. Frank maintained life-long friendships with many of the SI and USF classmates.
In 1952, Frank met Carol Wagner at a USF Valentine's Day dance. He worked very hard to convince Carol that she was meant to be his life partner. Carol was a city girl and Frank's family was into camping and fishing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Frank proposed to Carol at the Spiller family cabin at Bucks Lake in the summer of 1952 and they were married at a nuptial mass at Star of the Sea Church on November 7th, 1953.
Frank and Carol's first apartment was located in the Sunset District near Saint Anne's Church. They soon journeyed to El Paso, Texas where they spent four months for one of Frank's Army assignments. Moving back to the bay area, they settled in Corte Madera while Frank was stationed on the Marin coast. First son, Steve, was born at Letterman Hospital in the Presidio in 1955. Carol and Frank then moved back to San Francisco, but Steve was getting lonesome and brother Kevin was born one year and two days later in 1956. Leaving the military with the rank of First Lieutenant, Frank started a new career at Pacific Bell and moved the family to Lucas Valley in Marin, purchasing their first home. If things weren't busy enough with the two boys, brother Dennis arrived in 1959 and brother Chris in 1963. The family was incomplete, and Frank and Carol finally got their daughter in 1970, when their niece Christina joined the family. The family took memorable vacations to Bucks Lake each year, enjoying the beach, water skiing and fishing.
Frank had a very successful, 37 year career at Pacific Bell, receiving credit for his time served in the Military. He began his career in the Accounting Department and quickly climbed the corporate ladder. He held a number of Senior Management and Executive positions, retiring as Vice President and Comptroller of the company. He was a highly respected leader, by both his peer group and those who worked in his organization. One former colleague recently said this of Frank, "He has for many years sort of been a smarter, older brother for me and my model of integrity". Later in his career, Frank served on the board and as president of both the Oakland Ballet and the San Francisco Girls Chorus. Frank again made many lasting friendships from his days at Pacific Bell, and in retirement, attended annual functions with his work colleagues for over 30 years.
With Frank's retirement in 1988 and his children having started their independent lives, Frank and Carol were able to devote more time to their interests. This included cruising and traveling the world, and frequent trips to their property at Lake Tahoe. Frank was an avid golfer and hit the links frequently at Round Hill Country Club and occasional golf trips with friends.
Education was a high priority for Frank. He instilled the importance of a good education and a strong work ethic in all his children. He was proud of his families' accomplishments and his growing family, with two new great-grandchildren added to the clan in 2023. Frank enjoyed spending time with family and friends and frequently hosted events for them.
Frank demonstrated remarkable generosity throughout his lifetime. Every year, he meticulously recorded his numerous charitable contributions in a lengthy ledger. Additionally, he provided support to his mother during the last decade of her life, as she lived to the age of 105. Frank also served as a caregiver to Carol for a period of three years.
The end-of-life experience was difficult, yet beautiful. Frank was surrounded by family at home under excellent hospice care and the medical oversight of son Kevin, a retired paramedic. The family was able to visit and spend time with Frank. He passed peacefully at home on Good Friday, March 29th, 2024, with many family members at his side. Frank was predeceased by wife Carol in February of 2022. They were happily married for 68 years.
Frank is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Bill & Jeanne Spiller, sons Stephen (Sharon) Spiller, Kevin (Sherry) Spiller, Dennis (Heidi) Spiller, Chris (Joan) Spiller and daughter Christina (Jeff) Matthews, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass will be held on April 23, 2024, at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Danville at 10:00 AM, followed by a Celebration of Life reception at Round Hill Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to De La Salle High School or Hospice of the East Bay.