Fremont Resident Frances LaMantia Dies At 96

Frances LaMantia (Buccellato)

Frances was born in San Jose, California on July 20th, 1921 to Nicolau Buccellato and Giuseppa (Josephine) Azaro. She was the third of five children: John, Vince, Frances, Greg and Mike. Being the only girl child and growing up during The Great Depression made a profound impact on Frances's life. She was a go-getter. Her family owned a cherry orchard located where part of San Jose City College now stands. They also owned and operated a successful bakery, The Italian American Bakery, on Willow and Vine in San Jose. Frances's working experience started age 8 when she was tall enough to reach the height of the apricot cutting table at neighboring orchards. As she grew older she worked a variety of jobs, like selling crabs at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, and keeping books and working the counter at the family's San Jose bakery. Frances was ambitious and took every business class offered at Campbell High School where she graduated in 1938 at age 16.

After high school graduation, Frances met her future husband, Joe LaMantia, when she worked at the family's bakery. They fell in love, and with both families' approval, they were married in November 1941. Three months later, Joe left for U.S. Army boot camp in Portland, Oregon. Frances followed Joe there and got a job pumping gas. Joe was assigned to duties in Germany, and Frances went back to San Jose to work and live with her family.

After Joe returned home from the war, Frances and Joe bought their first home in San Carlos. Being industrious, Frances took some woodworking classes and proceeded to make furniture for their home. They had three children, Joe, Karen and Georgia. Her husband, Joe, was very busy starting and running his own butcher shop in Redwood City at Paladino's Market. The year Georgia was born they sold their house and had a two story, 5 unit apartment built, on Holly Street. Frances had her work cut out for her. She had three children under the age of four, her husband worked 6 days a week, she kept the books for the butcher shop, and did all the work around the apartment complex.

Frances worked hard caring for her family and also worked and contributed in her community. As the children got older, she volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader, was the Central Elementary School's PTA treasurer and later PTA President, taught swimming to physically handicapped students, was a teller at the San Carlos branch of Bank of America, and later kept books for a local furniture company. Frances also founded the San Carlos Apartment House Association, and volunteered several times as the treasurer for Central School Elementary fund raiser known as “The Chickens Ball”. She also managed to taxi her three children to and from their many sports activities. In the late 1950's Frances and Joe eventually sold their 5 unit apartment complex and bought a 14 unit complex in San Carlos on Walnut Street.

At age 40, Frances and Joe took up golf to relax, one of the best things they did for themselves. Ten years later they sold their apartments, retired and moved back to San Jose to the Villages with its 18 hole golf course. They played often and made wonderful lasting friends there. Frances helped organize and served as treasurer for several of the Village's Ladies' Golf tournaments. During their retirement, Joe and Frances traveled around the United States golfing and took a trip to Italy to find their family roots. They had a wonderful life together.

Several years after Joe died in December, 1996, Frances moved to Morgan Hill to share a few wonderful years with an old family friend, Carlo Barbara. Their relationship was a great partnership for both of them. Frances also cherished her ties with Carlo's loving family. After Carlo passed, Frances lived with each of her grown children. She enjoyed her time with Karen in Long Beach, with Joe in Palm Desert and, with Georgia in Palo Cedro. Frances was involved in the Red Hats, played bridge at the rec center and, faithfully took part and advocated for, the daily exercise classes at the Senior Center. Her final years were spent in Fremont, California where she peacefully passed away with family members at her side.

Her family and friends treasure the 96+ years they had with Frances. She was a loving daughter to her parents; a great sister to her siblings; a whirlwind of a mom who never stopped loving and giving to her children; a special aunt to her many nieces and nephews; a generous and inspirational grandmother to her six grandchildren; and for her eight great grandchildren—a memorable and cherished legacy they will hear about for years to come.

Frances is predeceased by her parents, Nicolau and Giuseppa (Josephine) (Azaro) Buccellato; her siblings and their spouses: John (Katie), Greg (Betty), Vice (Marie)and Mike (Norma); her husband, Joe LaMantia, and her partner Carlo Barbara.

Frances is survived by her children Joe LaMantia, Karen LaMantia, and Georgia LaMantia (Richard); her six grandchildren: John Gakau (Anne), Kristen LaMantia-Lopez (Mike),Claire Mbugua, Megan LaMantia-Bishop (Joe), Josephine Mbugua (Ahmad), Jeffrey LaMantia Bishop (Aparna); and eight great grandchildren: Yusuf, Giovanni, Mateo, Anya, Ethan, Baron, Anton, and Evelyn.

Frances was an important and influential part of our family's life. She will be deeply missed.

Our family is grateful for the wonderful and dedicated personnel at Brookdale Fremont and Heartland Hospice. We are so thankful for their immeasurably kind and personal care they offered Frances.

For those who wish to join in the spreading of Frances's ashes it will take place on Friday, May 11, at 12:45 p.m., at the Berkeley Pier, 201 University Ave., Berkeley, Ca., on Dock “K”.

There also will be a celebration in Frances's honor on Saturday, July 21 at 1432 West San Carlos Street, San Jose at 12:00 noon in the recreation room.

Donations in Frances's honor may be made to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association

cmtausa.org/donate/make-a-donation.

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— Content submitted for publication by Georgia LaMantia