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Frank
Edward Bumb, |
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Farewell by George F. Fortune |
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January 4, 1999 Dear Frankie, Here it is as best as I can recall: My name is George Fortune, and there are many things that I have to thank Frank for. We spent four years together at Bellarmine High School, then went on to San Jose State. I had been invited to pledge to the Sigma Gamma Omega on campus fraternity, and, at our first meeting, there was Frank also. We had a lot of fun and great times in the years at State, especially in the fraternity. Frank's name became " BOBO" and the name was used with great affection. He could always be depended upon for laughs, and to stir us all up with some crazy idea. If he did not get his way, he would lead filibusters and usually get it with a lot of shouts and laughter. He was a real feisty guy. (I think that I mentioned) We had an applejack party in the frat house on 11th street, and Frank and the rest of us decided to bring all the furniture out of every room and, stack it in one big pile! We did and the next morning my dad came down to pick me since my car was on the blink. He came into the living room and didn't say a thing!! He just stared and I quickly said, "we did this because we were going to clean up all the rooms!!!!!!!" The coincidences continued when we both went into the Navy. I was stationed at Treasure Island as part of a surplus of men who spent time doing barracks duty; lookout watch on top of Goat Island (Part of the Bay Bridge) as part of the Coast Guard; on old fishing boats learning about the bay, etc. One of our trips was to inspect the coast fortifications, and the terminal of the cable that was across the harbor entrance to detect enemy submarines. We all went by bus, and, upon arriving, went down a deep stairway to an underground bunker. The officer in charge pounded on the big steel door and a petty officer stepped out with a 45 in his hand pointed directly at us and said in a loud voice "WHO GOES THERE?" It was Frank!!!!!!!!!!!!! We met again on Treasure Island when he was on his way for treatment of an upset stomach, must have been to much powered eggs and ketchup. After that we saw each other in Long Beach after Japan had declared peace. I was down there on a Rocket ship trying get our 5000 5" rockets unloaded. What a great time with Elva and Frank on the beach by the boardwalk, and LITTLE Frankie and David running around in their DIAPERS. I was able to get them all aboard ship, and we had dinner together. I did not see Frank again until I got out of the service, and had a party at my Mother's home in Menlo Park where I lived. He hadn't changed one iota!! After I got a job selling paint, I joined the 20-30 Club in San Jose, and there was Frank again! We had more good times that I will always remember. The most important is the REAL reason that I owe Frank so much. The 20-30 Club was great for doing things like dances, picnics, and helping the community. We were a service club whose motto was "Youth to be served must serve." I needed a date so Frank said that he would ask Elva's sister, Dell, for a date, but she turned me down! The next dance was the big one, Frank said that he would try again and she accepted. We had such a good time that night and even went out to a
Chinese dinner later that night after all that dancing. We went
to lunch the following week. She was my steady date from then
on, and we just celebrated our 50th anniversary this last September,
two days after Frank and Elva's anniversary!!!!!!!!!!! The last thing I wanted all of you to know, but didn't have
the time to tell about was how Frank, with Elva's backing, had
proposed to the Allens and us, to build a house on their property
on Penitencia Creek Road for Grammie Allen, the mother of the
three Allen girls. Everyone would contribute to the labor and
Frank and Elva would pay for all the material. We were all very
proud of Frank for this. So, you see that I had so many things
to thank Frank for and I hope, Frank that you are listening to
every thing that I am saying. UNCLE GEORGE |