BOMBER MEMORIAL

FRANCIS ROSS "FRANK" LUZZO ~ Class of 1972
October 23, 1953 - June 1, 2015

~



Beloved grandson, son, brother, and uncle to a large family Frank Luzzo passed away at his home in Troy, Idaho on Monday, June 1st, 2015. Frank was 61 years old and had been courageously battling colon cancer and its complications for the better part of a decade.

Frank was born in Wallace, Idaho on October 23, 1953, and was the second son of Wilma and Thomas Carl Luzzo Jr. Frank and his twelve siblings lived in many small towns during his childhood, including Worley, ID, Ritzville, WA, Tremonton, UT, until finally settling in Richland, where he completed his education. Frank was very gregarious in school, and frequently served as ball manager for local high school and semi-professional baseball teams, including the Tri-City Padres.

Following graduation from Richland's Columbia High School in 1972, Frank volunteered for military service in the U.S. Navy, and served a tour of duty in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam conflict. He served on board the cruiser U.S.S. Jouett. After receiving an honorable discharge from military service in 1978, Frank returned to the Pacific Northwest, and held a series of jobs working for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the University of Idaho.

Frank was very concerned about the plight of returning military service personnel, and channeled his energies with colleagues at the Veterans Association. He made annual trips to Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress and seek just medical care for veterans of all types, whether disabled or not, or having seen combat or not. He also lobbied for cancer research funding. Frank was an active member of The Crossroads in Moscow, ID and served as a Deacon to his community. Never one to be bested by life's challenges, Frank served other cancer patients with the American cancer society. He loved to participate in half marathons, marathons and triathlons. Frank liked go to concerts, camping with family and friends and enjoying athletic events including score keeping, refereeing, and just spectating. He loved spending time with children, and kids loved Frank. He was "Frankie!!!" to them and he would rather spend his time playing with the kids and sharing their joy.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Pat ('70) .

Frank is survived by his parents and 11 siblings: Tony ('70)(Judy), Joe ('73), Dave ('74)(Casey), Mike ('77), Bob ('80), Dan ('81)(Naomi), Mary (Craig), Teresa ('83), Julie ('91)(Bill), and Dori ('92)(Joe); aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews; as well as his faith community in Moscow, Idaho.

Burial was at Burnt Ridge Cemetery on June 6, 2015. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be sent in care of the Gritman Resource Center, Troy High School or Wounded Warriors.

Published in the Tri-City Herald on June 5, 2015.