Frank Basso died on Jan. 7 at the age of 73. A Malibu resident for more than 40 years, Basso was an active member of the community.
Basso was born in Los Angeles in 1930. Raised in Glendale, he attended Hoover High School and then entered college. Following a stint as a sergeant in the National Guard during the Korean War, he returned to Los Angeles to complete his degree at USC under the G.I. Bill.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in science in pharmacy, Basso opened Basso’s Pharmacy at the corner of Fallbrook Avenue and Oxnard Street in Woodland Hills. He made many friends in the neighborhood, and with the success of his store he began a lifetime of giving back to the community, beginning with his sponsorship of the Woodland Hills Little League.
Basso served as a volunteer fireman in Ventura County and Malibu. He was director and later president of the Malibu Township Council for multiple terms. Basso also served several terms as the president of the Point Dume Community Association and was a member of the Malibu Public Works Commission. And for more than 30 years, Basso was on the board of directors of the Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas.
Basso is survived by his wife Shelby, his children, David Knight, Frank Basso Jr., Monica Knight and Shelby Funk and four grandchildren, Jason, Hanna, Chandler and Brandon. Private memorial services will be held later this month.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Leonis Adobe Museum, 23539 Calabasas Rd., Calabasas, CA 91302.