Frank Thomas Yoldi

1937 ~ 2026

Frank Yoldi was a first-generation Spaniard born in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 7, 1937, to Leandro Yoldi from Otano, Spain, and Mary Moler, also first-generation to parents from Navarre, Spain. He died on February 28, 2026, exactly one week short of his 89th birthday. He met the love of his life, Patricia (Murphy) Yoldi at St Francis Church, where he was stationed as a Franciscan Friar. When he first met Pat, he had been studying for his Masters in Social Work at Sacramento State University. Frank graduated shortly thereafter and obtained his license. His first employer was the Sacramento Crisis Clinic from where he was assigned to the Sacramento County Jail. Frank subsequently opened a private practice. While looking to wind down his practice after 25 years, Frank began doing part-time work at Old Folsom Prison. Prison work was his calling, and after 6 months, Frank closed his private practice to go to work for the prison full-time. His work there included doing lifers’ groups, educating correctional officers and staff on mental health issues, and translating for Spanish-speaking-only inmates. The inmates described Frank as ‘OG’ - Original Gangster, their highest form of respect. Frank retired after 18 years, at age 86.

For relaxation, Frank loved to putter in his garden, read history, philosophy, and theology books on his Kindle, and have pillow fights with his grandson, Killian.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lenny, and his sister and brother-in-law Teresa and Manolo Lopez. He is survived by his wife Pat, his sons Daniel and Benjamin, his daughter Marian, three grandsons Jaxon, Levi, and Killian, a niece Ana Mari (Steve), two nephews Manolito (Melissa) and Johnny, and a plethora of cousins.

Services will be Wednesday, March 18, at St John Vianney Church in Rancho Cordova, with a rosary at 9:30, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am.