Frank Espinola, Jr., 91, of Escalon passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 23 in Modesto.
He was born Dec. 23, 1918 in Manteca to the late Frank and Maria Espinola.
He was an Agriculture Professor at Modesto Junior College, specializing in poultry, retiring in 1976 after 16 years with MJC. During this time he was proud to have been named Mr. Good Egg by the poultry industry.
A resident of Escalon for the last 25 years, he grew up in Manteca and graduated from Manteca High in 1936. He lived in Manteca and Modesto before moving to Escalon.
Mr. Espinola served in the United States military as a Merchant Marine during the war. Prior to joining the Merchant Marine, he worked at the Manteca Creamery as an ice cream maker, a skill that he used as a refrigeration engineer on board ship during WWII.
His teaching career began at Oakdale High as a student teacher, from there he went on to teach at Ripon High for two years before accepting his position at MJC. He worked a great deal with the international students; both his Portuguese and Spanish came in very handy. He knew they were sacrificing a lot for a higher education; in return he opened his heart, home and family to these students that came from around the world.
Mr. Espinola was an easygoing man; he had an outgoing personality and loved everyone. When he wasn't working, he loved traveling. He traveled around the world meeting new people and visiting old students and friends he'd made in Costa Rica, Japan, Columbia, Philippines and countless other countries.
He was involved with several organizations: Mother Lode Mineral Society, V.F.W., Sacramento Valley Chapter of the Merchant Marine Veterans, and Port of Stockton Chapter U.S. Merchant Marine Veteran organization. He was the first president of the Port of Stockton chapter and was instrumental in the founding of that chapter.
Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Vivian Espinola, and son, Roger Espinola, both of Escalon; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his two siblings.
Arrangements were under the direction of P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home, Manteca. Committal was at St. John's Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be sent in his name to St. John's Catholic Cemetery, 17871 So. Carrolton Road, Escalon, CA 95320 or a charity of choice.
An online guest book is available for condolences and special messages to the family at www.plfryandson.com.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
March 10, 2010
He was born Dec. 23, 1918 in Manteca to the late Frank and Maria Espinola.
He was an Agriculture Professor at Modesto Junior College, specializing in poultry, retiring in 1976 after 16 years with MJC. During this time he was proud to have been named Mr. Good Egg by the poultry industry.
A resident of Escalon for the last 25 years, he grew up in Manteca and graduated from Manteca High in 1936. He lived in Manteca and Modesto before moving to Escalon.
Mr. Espinola served in the United States military as a Merchant Marine during the war. Prior to joining the Merchant Marine, he worked at the Manteca Creamery as an ice cream maker, a skill that he used as a refrigeration engineer on board ship during WWII.
His teaching career began at Oakdale High as a student teacher, from there he went on to teach at Ripon High for two years before accepting his position at MJC. He worked a great deal with the international students; both his Portuguese and Spanish came in very handy. He knew they were sacrificing a lot for a higher education; in return he opened his heart, home and family to these students that came from around the world.
Mr. Espinola was an easygoing man; he had an outgoing personality and loved everyone. When he wasn't working, he loved traveling. He traveled around the world meeting new people and visiting old students and friends he'd made in Costa Rica, Japan, Columbia, Philippines and countless other countries.
He was involved with several organizations: Mother Lode Mineral Society, V.F.W., Sacramento Valley Chapter of the Merchant Marine Veterans, and Port of Stockton Chapter U.S. Merchant Marine Veteran organization. He was the first president of the Port of Stockton chapter and was instrumental in the founding of that chapter.
Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Vivian Espinola, and son, Roger Espinola, both of Escalon; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his two siblings.
Arrangements were under the direction of P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home, Manteca. Committal was at St. John's Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be sent in his name to St. John's Catholic Cemetery, 17871 So. Carrolton Road, Escalon, CA 95320 or a charity of choice.
An online guest book is available for condolences and special messages to the family at www.plfryandson.com.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
March 10, 2010
