Frank Davis Umanzio: September 10, 1934 – December 7, 2023
Frank Davis Umanzio was born on September 10, 1934, in East Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Pasquale and Felicia Umanzio, and passed from this life on December 7, 2023, at age 89. Frank and his beautiful wife Jean met in Medford, Massachusetts, in 1956 and married in 1957, living happily together for 66 years.
In 1974, Frank and Jean and their three children moved to Paris, France, where they remained until 1977. They took the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe and greatly enjoyed every adventure. In 1977, they moved to Santa Barbara, California, where Frank became immersed in community life.
Frank graduated from the United States Armed Forces Institute while serving in the Navy. Frank then went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts, a Master of Science degree from Northeastern University, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Suffolk University Law School in 1971.
Frank was admitted to practice law by the Massachusetts Bar, the California Bar, and the United States Supreme Court.
Frank retired in 1994 after working for Raytheon Corporation for 38 years. He held numerous positions with Raytheon including Senior Corporate Labor Relations specialist; International Director of Industrial Relations for the NATO Hawk missile program in Europe, Division Manager of Human Resources in Goleta, California; Director of Human Resources for Raytheon Corporation; and finally, Vice President and Company Officer at Raytheon’s corporate headquarters in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Frank served on many community boards and nonprofits, including the American Red Cross, the United Way, the Boys Club of Santa Barbara, both the Santa Barbara and Goleta Chambers of Commerce, the Cities Community Relations Committee, the County Arts Association, and the Industry and Education Council. Frank was also a mediator for the Santa Barbara Rental Mediation Task Force, and the City and County panels of court mediators, and served Juvenile Justice.
In 1977, Frank was introduced to the Italian Boot Club, and soon joined the Board of Directors before becoming President for two years. He loved and celebrated his Italian culture.
Frank had many hobbies, including playing the saxophone and the clarinet, painting, and wine making under his own label Casa Iomazzo. Frank also loved playing bocce, and boating, and was a long-time member of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. In fact, he became a legal officiant and married his eldest granddaughter and her husband on the Yacht Club’s beach.
Frank passed peacefully after a battle against Alzheimer’s. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife Jean Umanzio, daughter Diane Alburger (Tim), sons Dennis Umanzio (Nina) and David Umanzio (Lori), five grandchildren: Catherine Spears (Nathan), Christine Alburger, Daniel Umanzio (Taylor), Steven Umanzio, and Alena Umanzio, as well as three great-grandsons, Maverick (born on Frank’s 85th birthday!), Grayson, and Cade. He also leaves behind his younger brother Richard Umanzio (Peggy) and numerous cousins, including Roy Umanzio.
Frank’s family thanks the staff at The Palms Memory Care in La Quinta and Mission Hospice for the care and compassion they provided. A Celebration of Life will be held in Indio, California in the future.
