Frank Paul Pantaleo

After 97 beautiful years as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend Frank Pantaleo passed into the arms of the Lord on May 20, 2015. In his final moments he was blessed to be surrounded by his most cherished loved ones.

Frank was born on October 22, 1917 in Chicago, IL to two Italian Immigrants by the name of Nicholas and Leonarda Pantaleo. He was one of five siblings along with Vito, Mari, Vivian, and Anne.

The family persevered through some of the most profound times in American history including the Great Depression, which brought them out to the west coast where they settled in Modesto, CA. It is here that Frank and his brother Vito planted the entrepreneurial seeds of what was soon to become their long and successful partnership and thus California Olive Oil Manufacturing was born. This is also where Frank met his soon to be wife Laura Bavaro, who he affectionately referred to as 'La'.

As their business grew the brothers decided to move to Fresno, CA in order to cultivate their growing love of the agriculture industry. It was here that Frank and Vito met another pair of brothers named Pat and Bart Lamanuzzi who shared the same ambition and ideals. The brothers decided to combine their efforts and expand their horizons from olive oil to grapes, creating a four way partnership called Lamanuzzi & Pantaleo. This was the brothers most successful business venture, just celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Shortly after moving to Fresno, Frank married Laura and began what was to become a beautiful 60 year marriage, in which they had two sons. It was then that Frank discovered a love even stronger than that of the farm, his love of family. However before he could truly settle in to the Central Valley Frank was drafted and served four years in the army before Wold War II reached its conclusion and he was allowed to return to his wife and eldest son.

Frank was a soft spoken, no nonsense businessman and was known to be seen inspecting vines up and down the rows of his vineyards or walking along the packing lines telling the ladies "Pack Em Pretty Dolly, Pack Em Pretty" until the age of 95. It was Frank's hard work and perseverance that created a legacy of success that will live on long after he is gone.

Frank is survived by his two loving sons Nick and Jerry Pantaleo, his daughter-in-law Elona Pantaleo, and his two adoring grandchildren Gianna and Antone Pantaleo in whom he has instilled an ethic of hardwork, honesty, and a love for cultivating the earth.

In lieu of flowers, please send any remembrances to Ronald McDonald House of the Central Valley http://rmhccv.org/ or St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

A viewing will be held Monday May 25, 2015 from 3:00-7:00PM at Lisle Funeral Home 1605 L St Fresno, CA. Services will be held Tuesday May 26, 2015 at 10:00AM at St Anthony of Padua 5770 N Maroa Ave Fresno, CA.