Bismark Martin Basolo Jr.

1927 - 2012

Bismark Martin Basolo, Jr. passed from this life on December 24, 2012, in Ventura following a prolonged illness.

Bismark was born in Fillmore on March 31, 1927. He was raised in Fillmore by his parents, Bismark Basolo, Sr., and Marian (Mottino) Basolo. The family survived the St. Francis Dam disaster in 1928, which destroyed their home on the family ranch.

The loss of their home resulted in the building of a home on Kensington Drive in the city of Fillmore where Bismark, Jr. grew up. Biz, as he was commonly known, was a proud graduate of Fillmore High School, class of 1944. Over the years he was actively involved with the Fillmore High Alumni Association and he helped organize several reunions for his class.

Upon graduating high school, Biz attended Occidental College for one year. He then entered the U.S. Army during the later stages of World War II. The war concluded as he neared the completion of basic infantry training and he was later transferred to Fort Benning, Ga., where he was trained as a tank driver. Biz was stationed at Fort Benning until his discharge in 1946. He then returned to Fillmore where he worked for a short time on the family ranch.

Biz decided to attend the University of California at Los Angeles which began a life-long devotion to all things UCLA, especially Bruin football. While at UCLA, Biz was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity through which he formed many lifetime friendships. When his second daughter, Vickie, enrolled at UCLA in 1975, Biz purchased season tickets in the alumni section for all the Bruins home games. He remained a season ticket holder for the rest of his life.

Upon graduating from UCLA in 1951, Biz began work two days later for the Bank of America in Ventura. He married the love of his life, Mary (Huddleston) Basolo, and together they raised three children in Ventura.

Mary passed away in 1987, and with the chicken grown, Biz moved back to Fillmore where he helped care for his aging parents. Biz continued to work for the Bank of America making the daily commute for Fillmore to Pasadena. Overall, Biz enjoyed a very successful 39 year career with the bank retiring in 1990. During his life, Biz continually sought opportunities to serve others.

He was a member of the 20-30 Service Club for young men, and he was a charter member of the Ventura Suburban Kiwanis Club where he held all offices including president. He and his son, Matt, took part in the YMCA Indian Guide program where they enjoyed many fun filled activities and camping trips with other fathers and sons. Biz volunteered countless hours to the Boy Scouts of America and Camp Fire Girl organization to which his children belonged. He was also active in the parent-teacher groups at Academy of St. Catherine, Holy Cross School and St. Bonaventure High school.

His desire to serve and interact with others led him to become a long-serving docent at Rancho Camulos near Piru. He loved his work as a docent because it blended so well with his life-long love of history and geography. It can truly be said the Biz enjoyed life and he sought to live it to the fullest. He passed along his positive attitude and his keen sense of humor to his children and other members of his extended family.

Biz loved camping, gardening, walking, traveling (especially by train), and oh yes, Bruin football.

He was devoted to his faith and he was an active member of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ventura and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fillmore. In the summer of 2000 he had the extreme pleasure of joining his daughter, Alex, and many members of his parish on a pilgrimage to Italy to celebrate the Holy See Jubilee Year. This was the third time he had traveled to the country from which his family had emigrated.

Biz was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his parents, Biz, Sr. and Marian; and his sister, Darleen June Basolo, who died in infancy. He is survived by his son, Matt (wife, Terri); daughters, Alex (husband, Bill Wagner), and Vickie (partner, Val Jenness); his grandchildren, James Basolo and Kathleen Basolo; and a great many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A mass celebrating Biz's life will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church in fillmoer on Friday, December 28, 2012 at 2 p.m. He will then be laid to rest beside his beloved wife at Bardsdale Cemetery. Biz was entrusted to the care of the family owned Joseph Reardon Funeral Home, 757 East Main Street, Ventura, CA, 643-8623.