Frank L. Marocco

Frank L. Marocco passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 3, 2012 at home following complications from hip revision surgery. He was in the home he loved and shared with his wife of 60 years, Anne. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Frank was born in Joliet, Illinois on January 2, 1931 to Frank and Noreen Marocco. He is the oldest of 6 children, 4 brothers and a sister. When he was seven years old, his parents enrolled him in a six-week trial program on the accordion.

He met Anne Clark when he was performing at the Normandy Club in Mishawaka Indiana with his trio. Their eyes met, they talked all night. Next date was in my dad's convertible sharing milkshakes and cheeseburgers. They were married 9 months later on October 20th, 1951 in Waukegan Illinois.

He began his professional career playing in clubs and hotels all over America with a trio he organized at age 18. Jazz was his first love but the opportunity to make a living playing jazz eventually brought him west to Los Angeles where he worked as a session studio musician becoming one of the most recorded accordionists in the world playing on hundreds of movie soundtracks, TV shows and record dates. He has recorded film music with a long list of composers; John Williams, Quincy Jones, Elmer Bernstein, Michele Le Grand, Hans Zimmer, Michael Giacchino, Henry Mancini and dozens of others. He performed with Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and so many others. In recent years, he traveled extensively worldwide to Brazil, Italy, Russia, China, Germany and many other countries to great acclaim.

He was nominated eight years in a row for the Most Valuable Player Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (N.A.R.A.S) and received that award twice. One of the awards that meant much to him was from the Department of Defense. Frank played in Les Brown's Band and traveled with Bob Hope's Christmas tour that visited our armed forces. He was presented with a Certificate of Esteem for Patriotic Service. He loved the American Flag and honored it all his life.

Frank was soft-spoken and characterized by a humble nature and gracious heart to everyone. He leaves behind his beloved wife Anne and their three daughters: Cynthia (Al) Thoburn, Venetia (Drew) Lambo and Lisa (Joe) Diblasi. He loved his eight grandchildren: Matthew, Courtney, Lindsey, Brittany, Andrew, Christopher, Chelsea and Tori. The services will be held at Northridge United Methodist Church 9650 Reseda Blvd. Northridge CA 91324 on Saturday March 24th at 11:00am. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers that donations are made to: Foundation of Human Understanding P.O. Box 1000 Grants Pass OR 97528 in Frank's remembrance.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria del Angel Praiswater, Van Nuys, CA.