NORTH FORK – The memorial for Frank Verduzco will be held this Saturday, Oct. 3. A full fireman’s parade will begin at 10 a.m, go through town, and end at the Town Hall. Folks are invited to the Town Hall at noon to remember Frank and support his daughters.
“Please come out to send him off in style,” says daughter Gail. The family will be stationed at the old fire station under the Library and will be utilizing the Library parking. Everyone is asked to please refrain from taking up those spaces.
“We ask you to come join us at the Town hall to pay respects to the man who helped protect this community, and celebrate his life,” says Gail, who invites people to join the event at https://www.facebook.com/events/430641513809410/
Frank Verduzco was just 64 years old when he passed away on Sept. 23.
A life-long resident of North Fork and member of the Ponderosa Telephone family, Frank joined the North Fork Volunteer Fire Department at just 21 years of age. Since March 1972, he has been responding from Station 11, and if you had a fire or a medical emergency, or were in a serious accident in the North Fork area, Frank was likely one of those who came to your aid.
“Frank will be remembered by all of us as the first face seen at an emergency call,” says North Fork Fire Department Auxiliary Past-President Sandy Chaille. “This is a great loss for our community.”
For those who wish to make donations to help Frank’s family with the unexpected expenses, they have set up a GoFundMe account.
“There have been many who have expressed wanting to help in laying our father, your friend, neighbor, and a vital part in the safety of this mountain community to rest,” says his family. “Anything you would like to give to help honor his memory and celebrate his life will be greatly appreciated.
“We would like to thank all of you for support and prayers during this difficult time, and also for expressing to us how special he was to everyone he knew and helped.”
Born and raised in North Fork, Frank was one of eight children. He was born Aug. 8, 1951 to David and Lucy Verduzco. Frank attended the North Fork School and Sierra High School in Auberry. He was hired on at Ponderosa Telephone in June of 1972, and worked in almost every area of their outside operations, including installation and repair, construction, plant line worker and cable locator.
Frank was chosen Citizen of the Year in 1998, was voted Firefighter of the Year for all of Madera County in 2007, and was a vital and integral part of the crew at Station 11. He served several terms as Captain, and mentored many of our young people.
He is survived by his three daughters April, Gail, and Cassie. His siblings, Richard, Daniel, Chris, Rudy, David, and Elisea. And grandchildren, Isaiah, Haley, Autumn, and Elena.
