Frank Henry Stanavage

Born in Callicoon New York, Frank and his people moved away from farmland to the city of Hartford in Connecticut when he was very young. Frank grew up living with his grandparents on his mother’s side and, at various times, his uncles (all five of them), his father’s brothers. Frank developed a common teenage obsession: cars. He became the chief scout and procurer of available vehicles for a local Hot Rod Club in the ‘50’s. His club was the first to require seat belts in vehicles and they campaigned to make that the law in Connecticut.

Frank joined the Navy at the end of his high school career and went through boot camp in San Diego. He served on the USS Finch for a good bit of his naval career and was aboard when the last upper atmospheric atomic bombs were being tested. Let out a few months early to attend San Francisco City College’s fall 1964 semester, Frank remained there as a student for the next seven years. He changed his major every year in an ongoing quest for knowledge of everything, finally accruing enough credits to prompt City to end his extended two year college career. Frank then transferred to San Francisco State to further his interest in film.

In amongst all his educational pursuits Frank held jobs at both the Chronicle and Examiner, recorded his infamous single “Watergate Blues” and proceeded to write a bevy of other songs ranging from the political to the personal and beyond. Outspoken about his political beliefs and a strong advocate for union labor, Frank became a teamster delegate to the San Francisco

Labor Council.

Frank’s unique technique of collage creation has become more commonplace with the technological innovation of Photoshop, but his early work drew on physical material from comic books and other printed matter evolving with time into skilled construction using photographs.

He also found time to marry Gloria and father three delightful daughters whom he named Earth Life, Liberty Star and Trinity Rose, all of whom survive him as do his grandchildren, Serenity and Declan. Although both of Frank’s parents passed away a number of years ago, they left behind the memory of two siblings who passed away in childhood, Joey and Patsy, and a trio of half-sisters who also mourn his loss. His father Joe’s remarriage to Marion created JoAnne and Marilyn. June was the daughter of Frank’s mother Rose and her husband Arthur Valli. We will all miss Frank but are relieved that his long battle with cancer is at an end and that he will finally rest in peace. Frank’s ashes will reside in the heart of the Santa Cruz forest under our family redwood tree. The family is creating a memorial website: www. faroutfrank.com.