Frank Navarra

July 21, 1926 - January 8, 2024

Frank Navarra passed away on January 8, 2024, at 97 years of age, after a long battle with the many afflictions of old age. Frank was preceded in death by the love of his life, Rosemary; his parents Santo and Rose Navarra; his brothers Santo (Lorraine) and Anthony. He was also preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Barbara Travis; and brotherin-law, William Travis. He is survived by his nephew, Charles Navarra; niece, Laura Navarra Lobo; great nephew, Jason Navarra; great niece, Veronika Navarra Bailey; and a life long friend of both Rosemary and Frank, Emilia Jankowski. Frank grew up in the Mission District of San Francisco during a much simpler time. He was drafted into the Army near the end of WW2. After his basic training he was shipped out to be part of the invasion force to finish off Japan. During his crossing of the Pacific two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan which ended the war in a Japanese surrender. Once arriving in Japan he served the US Army as part of the occupation force.

Once he returned home, he worked for Muni for a brief period of time as a bus driver; this did not last long, on April 8, 1949 Frank joined the San Francisco Fire Department. He spent most of his career at Station 7 and 43, he also worked the salvage units. By the time of his retirement in April of 1978 he was Captain of Engine 43. Frank also volunteered for the San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program on several occasions.

Frank could fix almost anything around the house be it electrical or mechanical. He did a lot of work on all his cars from the late 1940’s into the 1990’s, he was also willing to help his neighbors if they had a car problem. Frank and Rosemary also took care of his brother Anthony when he was no longer able to stay with his mother, Rose; when she ended up in a board and care home in the late 1980’s. Frank and Rosemary were the people in the family who always helped the older generation in the family when they needed help, they would be there. Frank and Rosemary attended St. Brendan’s Catholic Church, in San Francisco, for many years. Frank enjoyed many vacation trips to Clear Lake with Rosemary. They both loved boating and water skiing. Together they went on cruises to Alaska with family and friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Mass on Thursday, February 22, 11:00 am, at St. Brendan Catholic Church, 29 Rockaway Avenue, San Francisco. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to The San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation (SFFCPF) https://www.sffcpf.org/ , 1139 Mission St., San Francisco, Calif. 94103 or to your favorite charity.