Frank Yee's Obituary
Frank Yee, 97, passed peacefully at his Alameda home surrounded by his family. He was born in San Francisco, a second generation Californian. He lived his youth in San Francisco, graduating from Galileo High School. He spent most of his adulthood in Oakland, and lived his later years in San Leandro and Alameda.
Frank was a WWII veteran, serving with the 71st Infantry Division, under General Patton. He fought in France, Germany and Austria. Seventy years later, in 2015, he was awarded the Legion of Honor medal, France’s highest honor, for his service in France during the war.
After the war, Frank worked, as a civilian, for Alameda Naval Air Station for 34 years, calibrating aircraft instrumentation, receiving numerous special achievement awards for sustained superior performance.
To his family and friends, he was known as “Mr. Fix-It” for his amazing knowledge and skills for repairing anything from TVs and radios to small and large appliances to home repairs to any model of car.
He will be lovingly remembered for his strong, booming voice and big, infectious smile. Frank was organized, meticulous, curious, a traveler to many countries, and always abreast of current events. He enjoyed reading magazines and the daily newspaper, following the stock market, and was a good cook. He loved snacking, the Oakland Raiders, action movies (“good action!”), and value shopping (“good buys!”). He will be remembered by his children as a father who gave them a wonderful childhood filled with treasured memories of camping, homemade go-carts, family road trips, drive-in movies, and always-cheerful chauffeuring to and from various activities. In their adult years, his children will remember the boundless time and energy he devoted to renovating their homes, his joy at extended family reunions, and the wisdom of his advice.
He is predeceased by his father, Kun Yee; his mother, Shee Yee; his brothers and their wives, Yee Do Toy (Rose); Albert Yee (Mabel “Inky”); his sisters and their husbands, Stella Chin (Ping) and Jeannie Louie (Calvin).
Frank is survived by his devoted children Donna Yee (Calixtro Romias); Michael Yee (Robetta Yee); Janice Yee (Stephen Fiorelli); granddaughter Kalani Kudlik (Rich) and their three-month-old daughter, Kaia; his brother John Yee (Allison); and many beloved nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by many.
The family gives special thanks to his dedicated and loving caregivers, who helped make Frank’s last years happy and comfortable. We will be forever grateful for their care and compassion.
Interment will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations in Frank’s memory may be made to a non-profit serving the Asian community at Family Bridges, Inc. Development Dept., 168 11th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (www.fambridges.org), or to a non-profit for Asian elderly at On Lok Development Dept., 1333 Bush St., San Francisco, CA 94109 (www.onlok.org), or to a charity of your choice.
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