Air Force Veteran Frank Pavolillo, 1937-2011

Frank A. Pavolillo was born in Warren, OH, on April 19, 1937.

Although he was born and raised in the Buckeye state, he spent much of his life in and cared deeply for Imperial Beach. 

Pavolillo’s wife of 53 years, Lorraine, is an Imperial Beach native. 

The two first met in Las Vegas where Lorraine was living at the time and near where Pavolillo, a eight-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, was stationed. There, Pavolillo worked as a jet mechanic and heavy equipment operator. He later served in Japan and Montana.

In 1981, the Pavolillos moved to Lorraine’s hometown and never left. 

“He loved it. He loved the weather, he loved the atmosphere and he loved the beach,” Lorraine said. “He loved everything about the city of Imperial Beach.”

Pavolillo wanted to make Imperial Beach a safer place for his children, and so he got involved. Lorraine said when they arrived in IB, people were dealing drugs openly near the pier. That upset them both, and they wanted to see change.

“We didn’t like what we saw at the beach so the only way to fight that is to get active in the community and by doing what you can to make a difference,” Lorraine said.

For 28 years, Pavolillo volunteered for the U.S. Sand Castle Competition. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Imperial Beach and the Chili Jazz Festival.

Pavolillo's lengthy battle with diabetes eventually caused him to lose sight in one eye. Those who knew him around Imperial Beach also knew his two guide dogs, Fremont and Nora.

Pavolillo passed away on May 7 from congestive heart failure and complications due to diabetes. He was 74.

Lorraine said she and her husband enjoyed each other's company and that was the key to their marriage.

“We enjoyed each other. We did things together,” she said. “It was always something exciting. Nothing very boring about it.”

Pavolillo was as good a father as he was a husband, she said.

“He was a very strict, loving father, trying to make sure his children learned to do the right thing and be outstanding citizens,” she said.

Pavolillo is survived by his wife, Lorraine, and their three children, Johnny, Norah and Frank Jr.

Pavolillo will be brought to his final resting place at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on May 31. will follow from 3-5 p.m. at the on Encina Avenue.