Frank Piccoli

Frank Piccoli passed away Sunday morning, May 15, 2016 at the Colorado Veterans Community Living Center in Homelake. Frank was born on September 28, 1922, in Denver and moved to Durango as a young boy with his parents Joseph and Dorothy Piccoli. His parents purchased the Trimble Hot Springs nightclub. He lived at Trimble through his teen years and graduated from Durango High School. He had too many nightclub stories to tell here. At age 19 Frank enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, attended boot camp in San Diego, CA and became Private First Class Piccoli. Beginning January 6, 1942 he was trained as a Rifle Man/Sharp Shooter and soon thereafter was shipped off to British Solomon Islands, where he utilized his training on the islands of Tulagi and Guadalcanal. On November 2, 1943, while participating in action against the enemy forces on Guadalcanal, Frank was shot in both arms and legs. The doctors at the field hospital on the island, thought amputation was the most likely outcome, fortunately the doctors fought hard and were able to save the leg. After a long rehabilitation, Frank returned to the States and was honorably discharged and awarded a Purple Heart for courageous acts of valor and wounds received in action, during these campaigns. Back stateside, Frank began his life again. He married Wilma Wells on December 22, 1944 and raised their family of two boys, Mike and Jeff, and two girls, Theresa and Diana. He worked many years as the circulation manager for the Durango Herald, then later as a school bus driver for Durango 9-R school district. Again too many stories to tell here. Frank was a founding member of the Durango Flying Club, when the airport was located at what is now Fort Lewis College. He was also a founding member and longtime president of the Lions Club, which at times had over 100 members. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion, Elk’s Club.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma; son, Jeff and grandson, David Morris.
He is survived by his daughters, Diana Caviggia and Theresa Morris and his son, Michael; 4 grandchildren and wife Grace Erikson.
There will be a graveside service at Greenmount Cemetery at 11AM on Tuesday, June 7, 2016. In lieu of flowers, please donate Wounded Warrior Project - https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.