Frank Geremia Jr.

Frank Geremia, Jr. was born on January 11, 1937 at home on 9th Avenue in Sacramento, California. His parents were Italian immigrants, Frank and Anna Geremia. He was the last surviving child of Frank Geremia, Sr., who co-founded a concrete contracting business in 1922, known today as Geremia Pools. He was brought up to be self-reliant and dependable. These were traits that would serve him well throughout his life. There were good times to be had, but just as often there were a fair share of challenges. Frank was the youngest of seven children. He had three brothers, Gene, Bob and Tony, and three sisters, Helen, Frances and Norma. Frank was always loyal to his family.

Frank was a modest man, quiet and observant in his ways. He was trustworthy and traditional in his approach to his life and in his relationships. He was tough-minded with the kind of “stick to it” attitude that earned the respect of all who knew him. He was also a man who was meticulous, disciplined, and orderly in virtually everything he undertook. Realistic about life, he was always at the ready, prepared to take on responsibility and leadership.

As a young man, Frank was never someone who needed to be the center of attention. He wasn’t pushy and never forced his way into games or other activities. Frank developed a variety of interests, though; and the things he enjoyed doing, he did well. Frank attended Brett Hart Elementary School, Stanford Junior High School, and CK McClatchy High School. As a young man, he took part in baseball, basketball, and track and field. He played saxophone and clarinet in a jazz band in junior high school. However, what Frank enjoyed most was simply playing and spending time with his many friends.

In high school, teachers and friends generally thought of Frank as being a serious person. He managed to have a pretty good time in high school as he made the transition from adolescence to adulthood. He enjoyed some courses more than others. His favorite classes in high school were history and math. He also loved to debate any subject. Frank was a very logical person who enjoyed learning. He had an exceptional memory and was able to learn much through observation. Frank always seemed to be able to tackle any problem presented to him. Frank was greatly influenced by Coach Bican. He excelled in basketball and football. He was All City Football Lineman of the Year (San Francisco Examiner), and was on the East West All Star Team as well as the All American High School Football Team. He was on the Sacramento Bee All City Basketball Team and the All American Track Team. He held the shot put record at McClatchy High School until the 1990’s. He graduated from McClatchy High School in 1955.

College life brought with it a new set of challenges, but Frank handled them well. Frank was able to focus on the task at hand in order to complete his class work as well as his football training schedule at the University of Notre Dame. He earned a full scholarship to Notre Dame for football, but was also recruited by Stanford, UCLA, USC, CAL and the Naval Academy. He was personally recruited by Coach Terry Brennan, whom he held in high esteem. Frank felt his academic studies were just as important as football. His senior thesis was “Japanese-Americans, Post WWII”. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Notre Dame.

Always considered to be a solid friend, Frank was fortunate to have many close friends throughout his life. It was not uncommon for Frank to go beyond the call of duty for others. Friends sought him out for advice because he had a knack for coming up with practical solutions to any type of dilemma. While growing up, some of his best friends were Jim Mamalis, Bob Rose, Bob Cherney, and Nelis Simonsen. Later in life, he became friends with Gus Gianulias, Bob Ayres, Mel Vail, Ed Hilder, Al Wohl, Ed Russo, John Pisciotta, Jerry Brannigan, Bruce MacLean, Dick Lewis, Darrell Dettling, Vern Clausnitzer, Norm Moniz, Virgil Norwood, Dale Burke, Lou Orlando, Bill Chatham, Tom LeDuc, George Adams, Hank Feenstra, Dave Stathem, Brent Albano, Harold Walter, Mike Daly, Don Burns, and Ches Latshaw. Frank’s Notre Dame teammates and friends included Chuck Puntillo, Jim Just, and Jim Schaaf, just to name a few. The Notre Dame group got together for home and away games over the years.

On July 13, 1958 Frank exchanged wedding vows with Marsha Louise Austin at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sacramento, California. Compassionate and devoted to Marsha, Frank held endearing, traditional values about marriage and family life. He took the responsibility of marriage to heart, giving it his total commitment. He was a source of strength to Marsha and his children and he worked hard to provide a stable home life.

Frank brought the same traditional values in his marriage to bear on how he raised his children. He was a good parent, always firm yet fair. He would always listen carefully and think things through before he acted, even when it was a difficult situation. Frank has made it possible for all his children and grandchildren to pursue higher education. Frank encouraged and enabled his children and grandchildren to pursue their activities and interests. Frank was blessed with four children; three daughters, Sharon, Lori and Diane, and one son, Frank, III. Frank was also blessed with five beautiful grandchildren, Lauren, James, Mark, Megan and Matthew. Frank loved family birthdays, graduations, sporting events, pageants, recitals, plays and just being with family. The annual Geremia Family Christmas Eve Party was his favorite family tradition. He will be greatly missed by 22 nieces and nephews and their families.

Frank greatly enjoyed working with his brothers in the family business, Geremia Pools. He was a skilled and hard worker who expected the same in return from his co-workers. He said that he never expected a co-worker to do any job that he had not already done himself. Essentially, he worked his way up in the Company from operating a tractor to Company President. He always said, “Do it right, or don’t do it at all.” Frank and his brothers were good businessmen and they always did good business. They always wanted their customers to receive good value and top quality products. They put a lot of really good men and women to work to convert the Company principles into quality finished products which thousands of people continue to enjoy. Frank’s daughter, nieces, and nephews continue to uphold the standard of integrity and “Quality Without Compromise” established. Frank semi-retired in 1999; however, he continued to go into the Geremia Pools office occasionally to oversee the operations.

Frank found pleasure in sports, managing investments, travel, good food, wine, playing cards, and music (opera, classical, Country, and Sinatra). Recreational sports included bowling, handball, tennis, hunting, fishing, skiing, and water sports. He would watch his favorite sporting events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were football, golf, basketball, and baseball .

Many organizations were grateful to have Frank as a member, since he always brought with him a “stick to it” attitude and a high degree of common sense. Using straightforward methods to successfully complete the tasks at hand, Frank was a great man who was incredibly well organized. He always seemed to know exactly what needed to be done and advised his family to always do the same. Throughout his later years, Frank was an active member of the Elks Club, Cameron Park C.C., North Ridge C.C., Master Pools Guild, National Swimming Pool and Spa Institute (N.S.P.I.), California Spa and Pool Education Council (S.P.E.C.), and Chevaliers du Tastevin. He served as the Master Pools Guild treasurer from 1978 to 1980 and as Vice President and Director from 1972 to 1974. He served as the N.S.P.I. Chairman of the Northern California Chapter from 1976 to 1977, as National Vice President in 1980, Chairman of the N.S.P.I. Convention in 1984, and as Keynote Speaker at the 8th Annual Western Pool and Spa Show in 1986. He was instrumental in forming S.P.E.C. where he served on the Board of Governors and as President for 12 years.

Frank was a man who always showed great commitment to the things he believed in and was generous to many good causes. Being practical and disciplined, Frank preferred to base his decisions on first-hand experiences. Frank was never afraid to roll up his sleeves and dig right in. Politically, Frank was a strong supporter of the Republican Party. He believed in individual responsibility and less intervention by government. In 1983, he was appointed by then-Governor Deukmejian to the State Contractors License Board where he served through 1991. He was elected Chairman of the Board in 1985 and served a two-year term. Frank helped establish laws that protect homeowners and raised the standard of conduct for contractors.

Frank was a man who loved God and was devoted to his faith. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church from 1964 to 2009, a church his family helped build. From 2009 to present, he was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church. His faith gave him strength throughout his life.

Frank earned accolades for his efforts and achievements. Some of his most prestigious awards included Lineman of the Year, San Francisco Examiner (High School), Outstanding Lineman for Senior Bowl (College), and College All Star Game in Chicago. He was Number 26 on “The 100 Best High School Football Players in Sacramento Area History” (Sacramento Bee, September 5, 2000).

Frank enjoyed traveling the world and taking vacations. Favorite vacations included Lake Tahoe, Palm Desert, Monterey area, San Francisco, Hawaii, World cruises and destination golf trips. Frank appreciated the beauty of nature and wildlife. Occasionally, he babysat his daughters’ dogs, Frasier and Faith, and enjoyed taking them for walks.

Frank Geremia, Jr. passed away on February 27, 2011 at home surrounded by his wife and four children after a lengthy battle with cancer He is survived by his wife, Marsha, four children, Sharon McHale, Lori Poindexter, Frank Geremia III, and Diane McLaughlin; and his five grandchildren, Lauren McHale, James and Mark Poindexter, and Megan and Matthew McLaughlin. He will also be missed by his three son-in-laws, Mike McHale, Whit Poindexter, and Gerald McLaughlin.Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95826