Frank Basta

Frank Freddie Basta, 83, of Henderson, NV, passed away at his home

on September 14, 2022.

Frank was born in Los Angeles, California at the French Hospital to Charles (Charlie) Basta of Pueblo, Colorado, and Alice Marie Basta, née Conti of Niagara Falls, New York, on September 30, 1938. Frank was the firstborn of his sibling. He had two sisters Donna Basta Puccio and Kathleen Basta Ott. Frank and his family lived in both Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, California, and San Gabriel, California growing up.

Frank attended grammar school at Our Lady Help of Christians Church School and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1957. From the time Frank was able to work, he worked at Gateway Markets in Los Angeles, California, starting in high school. This income fueled his love of cars and afforded him a 1957 Chevy Belair that he had suped up. He had a couple of stories where he had raced and won the pink slips of a couple of vehicles. His love of cars remained for the rest of his life. Frank entered the US Army in 1962 and after drill training, Frank completed his training for General Supply at Fort Ord, Marina, California in the 4th Brigade and at Quartermaster School, Fort Lee, Virginia. He became a General Supply Specialist as Private, First Class (PFC) where he was stationed during his active duty time at Fort Leslie J. McNair, Washington, DC, and worked the supply chain. Frank told stories about how he could see the White House from the tallest building at Fort McNair. In 1963, Frank became an Army Reservist out of the US Army Corps out of the Presidio of San Francisco, California until his Honorable Discharge in 1968. During his time in the Army, Frank received the Good Conduct Medal and a Metal as Expert with the Rifle.

In his return to civilian life, Frank returned to the grocery industry and Gateway Markets in Los Angeles, California. He worked there until the LaBianca murders by Charles Manson took away his job. After an intermediary job, Frank joined the ranks of Luckys Stores and worked in several of the stores during the remainder of his work years. Frank was a member of the Retail Clerks Union with Luckys and worked as a retail clerk, stock, and finally liquor manager before he retired at 57. Frank was always very proud of working for Luckys and had many accolades for his meticulous work during the career he had with this company.

In 1963, Frank met his first wife Barbara Basta Hartley during his time in the Army and they eventually settled in San Gabriel, California. Into their home, they welcomed three beautiful girls: Michelle Basta Speers, Sherri Christine Basta, and Cassandra Basta Marlow. It was some years after Frank and Barbara’s divorce that Frank met his wife of 40 years, Helen Madalena Rini Basta at a mutual friend’s wedding in 1979, and in 1982 they wed at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel, Las Vegas, Nevada. From this marriage, Frank included the Rini Children: Victor John Rini, Jr., Regina Ann Rini St. Brigid, and Lisa Marie Rini Conant. When the Rini Children lost their own father in 1986, Frank stepped up to befriend and father and treated each as his own unconditionally with love and without fail.

Frank was an avid gardener and his home is a monument to his love, devotion, and precision to gardening and the many projects that lent beauty and grace to the outside property. Frank was an expert handyman at home (carpentry, plumbing, and electrician). Inside the Basta residence, he co-created many beautiful projects with his wife Helen to make a beautiful, cozy, and comfortable home that has received many compliments and praise from anyone that entered.

Above all, Frank was a loving and kind man. Frank was devoted to his wife Helen, his children (everyone), and friends; he had your back. Frank loved to cook! The house always smelled amazing when you entered it. He loved to tell you of his experiments and how they turned out so delicious. Pasta dishes were his signature, especially his spaghetti and meatballs or his lasagna! Also, Frank was an avid food shopper and shopped for the best deals possible. He used coupons and bragged about the bargains he brought home. Frank loved watching his news shows and did his best to keep well informed about our country and the world. Frank beat bladder cancer; one of the most mortal challenges of his life! From the time he found out, he never wavered, he did everything the doctors told him. Even though it cost him his bladder, it did not stop him from having a full life as best he could. He was very proud that he came out on the other side of it.

Frank Basta is preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Alice Basta of San Gabriel, California, his first wife Barbara Hartley of Glendale, California, his brother-in-law Vincent Puccio of San Gabriel, California and his grandson Jaedon Gabriel Hartley of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Frank is survived by his wife of Forty years Helen M. Basta of Henderson, Nevada. Michelle Basta Speers and Brent Speers of Wrightwood, California, Sherri Basta of Huntington Beach, California, and Cassandra Basta Hartley of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Also, Victor Rini, Jr. and Karen Rini of Seattle, Washington, Regina Ann St. Brigid of South Pasadena, California, and Lisa Conant of Santa Clarita, California. Sister, Donna Puccio of San Gabriel, California, sister and brother-in-law Kathleen and Pat Ott of San Gabriel, California. Also, Brother and sister-in-law Johnny and Julie Garcia of Saugus, California. Also, Frank is survived by nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, four nephews, and three nieces. Those who knew Frank and loved him, are left to survive his loss, too. It is a great loss to all of us to lose Frank.

There will be a family and friends visitation at 2:00 PM and a Public Visitation from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Thursday, September 29, 2022, at Davis Funeral Home, 6200 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 PM. Burial and US Army military honors will be held at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 9:20 AM Friday, September 30, 2002.

Pallbearers will be Brent Speers, Nicolas Conant, Tanner Conant, Johnny Garcia, Andrew Garcia, Bobby Garcia, Jayson Vorce and Kanan Boubion

Mrs. Helen Basta and family wish to extend our gratitude to the Henderson Police, Fire Department, and other services for the sensitive, solemn, and professional care of our Frank.