Francis Charles Christiano

Francis Charles Christiano, was born to Tony and Mary (Locati) Christiano, October 4, 1927, in Walla Walla, at St. Mary Hospital.

He met Nadine Mohrland while both worked at Reiker’s prune packing warehouse out on Stateline Road. They were married on May 27, 1945, at St. Francis Church in Walla Walla. They lived with his parents for two years until purchasing a piece of property on Wallula Road and building their first home where they lived for 63 years and raised six children. Francis worked at Continental Can Co. (now Crown Cork and Seal) for 37 years, retiring at the age of 52. Because of his love of history, he then worked seasonally at Whitman Mission as a historical interpreter for three years.

He loved flying and learned to fly at the age of 16, earned his private license and instructor rating and taught many how to fly. He purchased a PT-22 about 1950. He started the Civil Air Patrol in Walla Walla and was the first Commanding Officer. Too young to serve in the military, although determined, instead joined the State Guard. In 1959, gathering friends that loved muzzle loading shooting and the Civil War Era, he formed the Ft. Walla Walla Muzzle Loaders in Walla Walla. Intrigued with the pre 1840 mountain man era, off to rendezvous he went with Nadine and their younger children. The idea man, he put together the rendezvous at Fort Walla Walla Museum that has, to this day, turned into the Military Camp.

He was also a very creative writer. The posters for the Fort Walla Walla Museum Rendezvous posters each have a story thanks to Francis. He wrote the story for each poster which was a continuing saga from year to year. He was also an avid military collector. The Flying Tigers (of pre WWII) was his main focus. He and Nadine were invited to the Flying Tiger reunions where they met many of the surviving pilots and members. He was an avid reader and had a huge book collection. Almost all historical. He was a member of the Germans From Russia group in Walla Walla since Nadine was German. It seems that Francis figured if the Germans could do it, why not the Italians. So, he presented the idea at a dinner at Desales and thus, the Italian Heritage Association in Walla Walla was born. He was the first President. He was also a very active volunteer at Fort Walla Walla Museum. He and Nadine worked many volunteer hours together at that museum which meant a great deal to him. To him, history was very important. He had one of the largest privately owned Walla Walla Memorabilia collections around. He loved music, history, flying, politics, and reading.

He was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church, Amvets, Germans From Russia, National Rifle Association. Past member of the Civil Air Patrol, Fort Walla Walla Muzzle Loaders, National Association of Primitive Riflemen, National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, and Italian Heritage Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Betty Rouse and Caroline Redding; and also his grandson, Brent Christiano. He is survived by his wife, Nadine; their six children: Bernie Lorraine, Brian and Samantha Christiano, Bernard and Candi Christiano, Brett and Linda Christiano, Mary and Vance Kleyn, and Auralea and Lorne Blackman. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2017, with graveside services to follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Walla Walla. Memorial contributions can be made to Fort Walla Walla Museum, Walla Walla Hospice, or St. Francis Catholic Church through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA. 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book at www.herringgroseclose.com.