Frank Joseph Braico
June 6, 1958 — August 14, 2020
Frank was born to Joseph and Lydia Braico in Buffalo, New York shortly after they arrived from Northern Italy. He was raised speaking mostly Italian with his younger brother Walter. Frank was a smart kid and always received very good grades in spite of having impaired vision that had resulted from a roll-over car accident when his parents moved across country from New York to California when he was a toddler.
During his Downey High School years, he thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with friends, played air guitar, loved to listen to Rock and Roll music very loudly, and worked several odd jobs. He was very determined to do things against all odds. He saved money to buy extra-large speakers that he had to hide from his strict parents in a friend’s house and he bought a VW trike and a 66 Cuda that could not drive because of his impaired vision.
Shortly after graduating from high school Frank was involved in a tragic vehicle accident. He was the passenger in the front seat of his inebriated friend’s car when the driver lost control and hit the side of the mountain. As a result Frank was in a coma for 105 days, suffered brain damage, became legally blind, and had severe loss of function. After extensive rehabilitation he was able to walk again with leg braces and a cane, but due to the brain damage he had behavioral outbursts and suffered numerous seizures. As the years passed due to the brain damage, unfortunately Frank became more disabled, developed paraplegia, and needed constant care in a nursing home.
Frank’s last 20 years of life were spent in nursing homes, slowly declining, always having his brother and father looking out for the best for him, and the last decade Ileana ardently advocated for his best care. Regardless of his misfortune Frank always kept a smile on his face, had a gentle attitude, and never had anything mean to say about anyone.
We will always remember his laughter at the Cheech and Chong skits and his love of chocolate ice cream shakes that his brother would sneak in at the nursing homes. Frank is survived by his father Joseph, brother Walter, Ileana, nephews Dustin and David, and nieces Vanessa and Hannah, and he was welcomed in heaven by his mother Lydia and longtime friend Chuck Ortloff. We love you Frank and you will be missed eternally!!
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, please contact the family for service information.
Condolences for the family may be sent through our website.
During his Downey High School years, he thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with friends, played air guitar, loved to listen to Rock and Roll music very loudly, and worked several odd jobs. He was very determined to do things against all odds. He saved money to buy extra-large speakers that he had to hide from his strict parents in a friend’s house and he bought a VW trike and a 66 Cuda that could not drive because of his impaired vision.
Shortly after graduating from high school Frank was involved in a tragic vehicle accident. He was the passenger in the front seat of his inebriated friend’s car when the driver lost control and hit the side of the mountain. As a result Frank was in a coma for 105 days, suffered brain damage, became legally blind, and had severe loss of function. After extensive rehabilitation he was able to walk again with leg braces and a cane, but due to the brain damage he had behavioral outbursts and suffered numerous seizures. As the years passed due to the brain damage, unfortunately Frank became more disabled, developed paraplegia, and needed constant care in a nursing home.
Frank’s last 20 years of life were spent in nursing homes, slowly declining, always having his brother and father looking out for the best for him, and the last decade Ileana ardently advocated for his best care. Regardless of his misfortune Frank always kept a smile on his face, had a gentle attitude, and never had anything mean to say about anyone.
We will always remember his laughter at the Cheech and Chong skits and his love of chocolate ice cream shakes that his brother would sneak in at the nursing homes. Frank is survived by his father Joseph, brother Walter, Ileana, nephews Dustin and David, and nieces Vanessa and Hannah, and he was welcomed in heaven by his mother Lydia and longtime friend Chuck Ortloff. We love you Frank and you will be missed eternally!!
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, please contact the family for service information.
Condolences for the family may be sent through our website.
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