The Afghan insurgent who shot him made a big mistake because he would have done more good for the people in the village and that community than probably all the soldiers combined on that base. He had already had huge shipments of sneakers sent over.
— Linda Moosekian, Aunt
Toner was shot to death by an Afghan national soldier under circumstance that are under investigation. Although the military gave his hometown as Narragansett, R. I., Toner had deep ties to California. He loved sports and was a running back for the Westlake Highs' championship football team. His former coach, James Benkert, remembered him as a star athlete, “very popular, always smiling and really the best our society has to offer.”

12 memories of Francis

When Frankie was a junior in high school I had asked him to cut down a juniper tree in my back yard. When I got home from work there was Frankie and my son in the back yard with the vacuum. I freaked and asked what they were doing and Frankie said that he was vacuuming the grass because the juniper had really sharp needles which hurt their feet getting on and off the trampoline.
He sure was one of a kind and so terribly missed.

— Aunt Linda
March 31, 2009 at 10:48 p.m.

I've only known Frankie about 2 years. When my husband and I first came to Hawaii, Frankie and Brooke welcomed us with open arms. I never met a couple like them... Brooke, so beautiful and kind, and Frankie, also handsome and kind and very talented... a guy with those characteristics tends to be arrogant. But not Frankie... he was always so humble. We are better for having known him.

— jacky
April 1, 2009 at 2:36 a.m.

I played football and lived in the same dorm as Frankie in college. He was a one of a kind, all around awesome guy. An athlete for the ages, he always wanted to teach people new things, whether it was a new trick on a snowboard, a certain type of work out, a new method in his practical jokes, or simply give you some advice and lift you up a bit. I know I've gone to him for advice on multiple occasions. He never belittled anyone, didn't cuss, never drank or smoked to have fun. He was high on life, ALWAYS! When one of our close friends, my roommate at the time, was on the verge of being disenrolled, Frankie went around to everyone he knew with a petition form to help our buddy, his best friend, remain at the Academy, eventually pleading to the Admiral one-on-one. He was always a team player, more so than anyone I've ever met. When his eligibility in football was up, he joined the lacrosse team just to help improve them in any way possible. He was to start Navy SEAL training upon returning from Afghanistan....go figure, Frankie going for the best of the best!

— Michael Huzyak
April 1, 2009 at 1:20 p.m.

A Salute to Frankie Toner!!!!First of all I am flattened by this news!!! I have had the honor of knowing and seeing Frankie play at Westlake!!! He was a tireless worker who displayed a ton of passion with whatever he did. Nothing came easy for him he had to work his tail off which was his MO from day one. I will always remember #46 rambling around the right end vs. El Camino and scoring on a 75 yard run. I am a long time Westlake Warrior football fan and it is men like THIS that KEEP having me come back to rejoice the efforts of the players of the past. The last time I saw him was in Hawaii 2007, he was stationed at Pearl Harbor at the time. The Westlake team was there to play a local team and Frankie came up with his fiancé, I was very surprised and happy to see him there. At that time I proceeded to go over his lengthy career as a Warrior player (which were probably the same stories he would tell here) he sat back and just BEAMED because he knew how much it meant to my wife and I. As we parted ways I told him in a hug that we LOVED him and were so PROUD of him!!! He is a true HERO never to be forgotten by my wife and I and the entire Westlake Warrior family!!!! Nothing can stop Frankie Toner’s spirit even in death…Go Frankie Go we will all be together again in time!!!

— Richard 'WHSuperfan' Jones
April 2, 2009 at 11:06 a.m.

Ens Frank Toner used to attend our project meetings at the NIOC Hawaii Facilities Dept. Although young, he asked good questions and knew his stuff. He was a very likeable guy. I wish he got to work with us in facilities longer.

— Dean Watanabe
April 2, 2009 at 4:29 p.m.

LTjg Toner and his team relieved mine in Afghanistan last year. Being also an engineer I was able to interact with him daily. He took on the responsibilities for his job quickly and with enthusiasm. In the short time I worked with him I found him to be a very professional young officer with a natural sense of humor. His is a great loss to his family and to the US Navy.

— LCDR Porfirio Beltran, USNR
April 3, 2009 at 8:03 a.m.

Toner attended my class here at Ft Riley before he deployed to Afghanistan. It was really very sad to hear that he was not among us anymore. We really appreciate his services and cooperation to both Afghanistan and the United States of America. He really is a great loss to his family, relatives and the United States. May Almighty Allah bless his soul.

— Samir Hamraaz
April 3, 2009 at 3:19 p.m.

What a loss...One of the finest young men I have had the pleasure of knowing. A young man who epitomized the quality of American youth... As a coach who has lost young men in Vietnam , my heart and soul go out to Frankie's wife and close relatives...and I can only pray that all of our young men come home safely. It is with a heavy heart, but with a sense of joy that I remember Frankie... Always willing to go the extra mile Frankie demonstrated leadership qualities of high moral character, courage and caring ... A great loss but a memory that I will carry the rest of my life...Sincerely, Dr. Ron Rescigno

— Dr. Ron Rescigno
April 3, 2009 at 4:46 p.m.

frank and i grew up riding bmx bikes around our nabourhood as kids. he loved to ride and it was always a great time when we went to the dirt jumps in west lake village ca. i will miss him and am proud to have such great memmories with a great friend.

— david anderson
April 4, 2009 at 12:55 a.m.

It was a pleasure to coach such a wonderful person as Frankie Toner. Always smiling, always helpful, always there for his teammates. He came back to his roots in Westlake Village, CA. every chance he could. He brought his new wife, Brooke to a football game last fall and introduced her to all the coaches and teachers on the sideline. He was so proud of her. He was a unique young man who could stand up for what was right...even if he was standing alone. We will all miss him very much.

— Jim Benkert
April 6, 2009 at 1:29 p.m.

Did not know him. But I reside in WLV. On April 16th. I will have my flag out in his memory. RIP

— ZIP
April 10, 2009 at 12:40 a.m.

Please set aside Saturday May 2nd to rejoice in the beauty and to praise the wonderful life of our hero Francis L. Toner IV. We will be gathering in Frankie’s honor with faith at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1600 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks, Ca.

This tribute will begin at 11:00am with prayer and continue the celebration of Frankie’s life until 2:00pm.

Any requests please contact:

Will ~ wfvelasquez@gmail.com

Megan ~ megan.shirey@gmail.com

Linda ~ lmoosekian@aol.com

— Will Velasquez
April 12, 2009 at 12:24 a.m.

Share a memory of Francis

:
  Required
:
  Optional
:
Emails are not republished or used for marketing purposes.