Submitted by: Dan Rich

Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Francesco Antonio Trimboli

Oct. 12, 1913 - July 30, 2007

 

South Bend Tribune 8/1/2007
MISHAWAKA - Francesco Antonio Trimboli, 93, passed away Monday evening, July 30, 2007, after a brief illness. Frank was born on October 13, 1913, the eldest son of Bruno Trimboli and Maria Teresa (Grillo) Trimboli in Plati, Reggio Calabria, Italy. In 1928, at the age of 14, he immigrated unaccompanied via Ellis Island to join his father in his new home and adopted country. In spite of the Great Depression, Frank's mother, two sisters and brother joined them in Mishawaka in 1934. Frank apprenticed as a shoemaker in Indianapolis for one year before returning to Mishawaka to open Frank's Shoe Repair, which he later moved to Cushing Street in South Bend.

 

Following his marriage to Elizabeth Mary in St. Monica's Church in 1940, the newlyweds opened a shoe business in Lowell, IN. World War II brought the couple back to Mishawaka where Frank operated a general contracting business. From the 1940s through the early 1970s, Frank was the proprietor of Mishawaka Heating & Air Conditioning. Also, at different times, Frank worked for the Ball Band, Studebaker and Allied Stamping corporations. Frank was the last living founding member of the Maria SS DiLoretto Society which was established in 1933. He was a kind and generous man who helped many to assimilate in their new country. His love for literature and poetry was boundless, as was his interest in history and current events. Above all, Frank was a man of principle, honesty and integrity.

 

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Bruno and Maria Teresa; sisters, Catherine Perri and Mary Timpani; and brother, Joseph Trimboli. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; daughters, Mary Teresa Trimboli and Jenny (Steve) McNeil; sons, Bruno (Linda) Trimboli, Joseph (Doreen) Trimboli and Frank Jr. (Nancy) Trimboli; grandchildren, Anthony (Shannon) Trimboli of Franklin, KY, Michael McNeil of Chicago, Patrick McNeil of San Diego, CA, Emily (Josh) Hensley of Goshen, Nathan Trimboli of Phoenix, AZ, and Francesco (Frank) A. Trimboli; a sister, Margaret Barbaro; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

 

Visitation for Frank will be on Thursday, August 2, in Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N. Main Street, Mishawaka, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 3, in St. Monica Catholic Church, 222 West Mishawaka Avenue, Mishawaka, where visitation will also take place at 9:00 a.m. until time of the services. Father Jeffery Largent will officiate the services, with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka. Memorial contributions maybe made to St. Monica Catholic Church or to Global Village Ministries, c/o 8783 South Bluffview, Berrien Springs, MI 49103