Obituary of Frank Aiello

Frank Joseph Aiello (aka “Smiley”) August 3, 2020

Frank Joseph Aiello passed away from COVID-19 at a skilled nursing facility in Santa Barbara on August 3, 2020. He was born in Los Angeles, CA in 1924 and baptized at St. Raphael Catholic Church. He was the oldest of 3 boys. His industrious Italian-American parents owned their own produce market and built their home in Gramercy Park. Frank learned healthy eating habits and a strong work ethic as a young boy from his parents and extended family. He attended George Washington High School where he started the Embassy Social Service Club, as a sophomore, that continued for 10 years. He was selected to be an honorary “Knight” and to the exclusive civic Ephebian Academic Society s a senior. He graduated in 1942, went to USC in Sept 1942 and enlisted in the US Navy in October 1942. He was assigned to Active duty as a Storekeeper (D) Second Class on July 1943 to the USS LaVallette (DD-448), which joined a carrier force in the Solomon Islands, New Guinea and the Philippines. It was the only American Destroyer that was both torpedoed and mined in 2 separate battles during WWII. The USS LaVallette (DD-448) received 10 battle stars for its service in WWII. Frank was honorably discharged on May 1946 with 2 stars for the Asiatic Pacific Area, 2 starts for the Philippine Liberation, a Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

After Active Duty, he started the CYO young people’s club at St. Michael’s Catholic Church where he met his future wife. Frank returned to USC and then Woodbury University, worked as an accountant for his father’s business, owned 2 gas stations in Los Angeles and was an accountant for Potlatch Forest Products in Pomona. In 1950, he was married at Transfiguration, his wife’s Catholic Church, in Los Angeles. Together they had 5 children and lived in West Covina. In 1962, Frank moved his young family to Santa Barbara to be close to his parents and his younger brother upon securing an accounting position at a CPA firm in Santa Barbara. Then Frank was as an accountant at Cottage Hospital for several years.

Frank was a CPA and the proud Manager/Treasurer of the Santa Barbara Teacher’s Federal Credit Union from 1975 to 1997. He continued to be closely involved as a mentor and advisor after his retirement. Frank saw the credit union as an extended family and treated the staff, volunteer directors and committee members to his homemade spaghetti dinners, breakfast birthday celebrations at Moby Dick restaurant on the pier, and summer picnics. This family atmosphere made the credit union a welcoming place the membership appreciated.

Frank was passionate and worked tirelessly to advance the credit union. When he took over in 1975 the credit union was a small one branch operation. He quickly expanded to northern Santa Barbara county opening branches in Santa Maria and Lompoc and significantly grew its assets.

In partnership with the Santa Barbara County Education Office’s Regional Occupational Program, Frank established Santa Barbara Federal Teacher’s Credit Union branches at local high schools which provided students with work experience as well as the opportunity to join the credit union. On 11/1/1976, the Royal Corporation was opened at San Marcos High School, with Frank as its advisor, as 1 of 2 student-run credit unions in California and 1 of 30 in the Country at that time.

Frank loved playing tennis, spending time at the beach, taking long walks, hiking and camping especially with his family. He loved to sing and dance to Big Band music. He enjoyed playing the piano to sing-alongs, hymns and Christmas songs. He was always interested in local and national economics. He would frequently say: “I am so lucky. I have such a beautiful family and wonderful kids” and “I have lived a good life”.

Frank is pre-deceased by his parents, brother, Paul; his wife of 30 years, and his youngest son, who passed away just 10 months earlier. Frank is survived by his brother, Arthur; his 4 children, 2 sons-n-law, 2 daughters-in-law, 4 grandchildren and numerous cousins, friends and their families.

A memorial service will be held after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Donations for a memorial tree or bench are welcome.