A gift from God arrived to bless the world on July 6, 1965, and was given the name Franklin Toney. It is with deep, heartfelt sadness that his family announces that Frank Toney, 44, of Clearlake Oaks, was suddenly stolen from us on May 30. We are all shocked and in disbelief that we will no longer see his smiling face – and those of you who know him remember him best by his big smile! And what a great smile it was ... warm, friendly, true and real. Frank truly loved people and you just knew it by his radiant smile.
There are literally hundreds of people who know and mourn the loss of Frank in our lives. Frank's list of friends would take volumes to write, so we will only list his family here. Please know, you are special and you are not forgotten.
The list includes, but is not limited to: Frank's pride and joy, his beloved son Parker James Toney, who turned 7 last Friday, May 28; his partner, best friend and love, Janet Folmar and her son Dylan Hill, age 7; mom, Sue Burton, stepdad Jim Burton and father Frank Toney Sr., all of Clearlake Oaks; sister, Lynette Toney; brother, Duane Toney and wife Leticia; stepbrother, Tony Burton and wife, Cindy; half-sister Ilene Toney; nephews, Michael and Izzac Toney; nieces, Clorisse, Angelina, Susan Nicole and Lilliana Toney; aunts and uncles, Pat Pirtle, Don and Roberta Williams, Ralph and Yvonne Williams, Loretta Salvato-Williams, Nancy Williams, Robert and Louise Caver, Betty and Chris Holman, Jim and Pat Toney, Phyllis Toney, and Carl and Mary Burton; plus many cousins and even more friends.
Frank has worked as a Clearlake Oaks volunteer firefighter since age 16, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection firefighter, Redwood Empire Life Support ambulance paramedic, Homestake Mining Co. heavy equipment operator, various other jobs, and most recently with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) as a maintenance operator 1 for the past five years. Frank also served as a water board member to ensure the quality of water safety and to keep water rates affordable for his community. Frank was a member of the Clearlake Oaks and Legion Moose since age 21.
Frank's spirit touches lives and will continue to through the good will he performed in our community and millions of random acts of kindness that he gave us. Frank is a blessing to his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers and the Lake County community-at-large for his big heart and generosity. To say he will be missed does not give adequate tribute nor justice to this fine man who was so quickly taken from us. Frank will forever live on through us. May we all see him as the shining example he is and live our lives accordingly. May God bless our wonderful Frankie. We know you are in Heaven.
You may bid farewell to Frank this Friday, June 4, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Jones & Lewis Mortuary in Lower Lake. There will be a memorial procession beginning at Northshore Fire Protection District's Clearlake Oaks Fire Station at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 6, proceeding to the memorial ceremony at the Lower Lake High School Gymnasium – where Frank graduated in 1983 – at 1 p.m. Following the memorial ceremony, the memorial procession will continue to the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge at the “Y” at Highways 20 and 53.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the trust fund set up at Westamerica Bank in Clearlake for Frank's 7-year-old son Parker James Toney, who also lost his mother Karen Tucker just eight short months ago.
Donations also be made in Frank's memory through the California Transportation Fund Assistance Fund, with all the proceeds going to his family. Checks should note “Toney” in the memo line and be mailed to CTF, P.O. Box 160534, Sacramento, CA 95816.
Love one another.
