Francis L. Toner IV, 26

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.

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.

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!

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Frankie, I'm sorry Brother... The building we erected in your honor was converted from "Firehouse" to gym because we thought it more fitting. I'm back now, but I'll never forget what really happened. Your awards don't compare to the sacrifice you made when you gave your life. I pray your family is well and they all hold their heads high in your honor.

CL53 URFbuddy

Just a follow up... Frankie Toner's High School football Team "The Warriors of Westlake" went 14-0 ranked #4 in the state of California and #19 in the country with his #46 on there helmets propelling our "Band of Brothers" to a CIF championship!!! A fitting way to finish our season and to represent such a fine person who always put everybody before himself. Another thing our great head coach Jim Benkert has created an annual award in Frankie's name for such selfless efforts!!!! Mr. Francis L. Toner IV your name will live on for a long time in our hearts and minds that is a fact!!!!

Frankie was a remarkable person who inspired others to be great through his loving zeal for life and drive for greatness. His life continues to serve as a guide for me and his memory lives on with me as I too strive for the greatness that Frankie exemplified.

Frankie is my cousin more like a little brother I lived with them when we were kids in topanga canyon and as a freshman in thousand oaks. Though he is younger than me I have always looked up to him. No exaggeration he was perfect. I was. Living on Maui and had to fly to Oahu for a Dr appt he picked me up tried to take me to lunch on base but I was wearing slippers and wouldn't let me in to eat it was funny so we had subway lol. He took me to his office and I was so proud of what my little cousin had accomplished. Then Frankie and Brooke flew to Maui and spent Thanksgiving with us I cherish these memories and miss him and love him so much. I love you Frankie and we will meet again. Philippians 4:13 is what I now live my life by.

It has been almost a year and I was thinking about Frank, we trained together at Riley. I stumbled on this site and read through the posts. Frank was a fine young man, a superb Sailor and it was my privilege to serve with him. His life made a difference!

I thank everyone for their kind words and outpouring of love for my son. Thank you, also, to all are service men and women, God bless you! We will be visting Arlington this weekend with Frankie's wife, Brooke. I miss and love you Bud and I am always very proud to be your dad. We will meet again.