Donald Kent Facciano

Donald “Don” Kent Facciano was born in San Francisco on December 15th, 1934 to Mildred and Marcello “Mitch” Facciano. The son of an Italian immigrant, Don experienced a vibrant city life while enjoying and playing sports, especially track where he was a decorated sprinter. His love of San Francisco and their sporting teams was always on display as Don could be regularly spotted wearing a Giants hat or 49er t-shirt. He truly was a faithful 49er, Giants and Warriors fan.

Don graduated from Balboa High School where he was class President, Head Yell Leader and member of the varsity track team. Don then went to San Francisco City College where he majored in Hotel and Restaurant Management. He then waived his college deferment and went into the Army with his drafted buddies.

Don did basic training at Ford Ord then became an instructor before he was transferred to the Presidio of San Francisco 6th Army Honor Guard.

Upon discharge he wanted to enroll at Cornell to continue his degree in Hotel Restaurant Management but missed the enrollment date, so he enrolled at San Jose State and switched majors. He was a member of Delta Sigma Phi where he was fraternity and Sorority Social Chairman. Don graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and was in the process of working on his Master’s Degree in Marketing but ended up taking a pivotal job before he would complete his studies.

Don was hired as an Executive Management Trainee at Sears & Roebuck out of Chicago. After finishing the trainee program, he was then sent back to San Jose to start his life-long journey in retail. He worked his way up through department division postings and eventually landed in management.

His career took off, and he moved to a Sears store in Modesto, California where he was Merchandise Manager, hard lines and then to Stockton, California where he was Merchandise Manager, soft lines. From there, Don went to Los Angeles to learn more about other departments and became the Fashion Manager. This career move brought him to oversee stores in Safford, Arizona, San Francisco, Visalia, Riverside, San Diego, North Hollywood, and finally Oxnard. From there, he said “STOP” no more moves! This is the place!

In all his career moves Don continued to stay very active in the community. Chambers of Commerce, Rotary, Boy Scouts, Childhelp, the Red Cross…the list goes on. But in Oxnard he found his “charity of choice” - the Oxnard and Port Hueneme, Boys & Girls Club. Don continued to stay heavily invested in this charity for 36 years, receiving many accolades along the way including the honor of having their annual charity auction and fund raiser named after him. Seeing the Boys and Girls Club thrive was one of his proudest accomplishments.

Don continued in the corporate world before taking the “Golden handshake” after 35 dedicated years with Sears but, he did not stop working and helping others. His free time consisted of: President/CEO Greater Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, President/CEO Ventura County Taxpayers Association, President/CEO World Affairs Council, Oxnard Ambassadors General Council, and finally ending with the position of Council President for Docents at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. There were also numerous other boards Don served on and provided committee support to. During all of Don’s years he enjoyed being a mentor and seeing people grow. Most recently, Don was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 for 23 years of service, by the Oxnard Ambassadors.

As for Don’s personal life, he was fortunate to meet the love of his life Hazel, while living in Oxnard and they had a wonderful 36 years together. She truly was the “Wind Beneath His Wings.”

Together, they traveled all over the world experiencing Europe many times, especially England where Hazel was born. They also have fond memories of Asia, South America, the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico. But their favorite country was Italy where they could appreciate the peaceful beauty of the landscape and the warmth of the cuisine. Don and Hazel shared 13 homes together, finally settling in Camarillo, California.

Don had a son [deceased] and a daughter from a previous marriage, with three grandchildren, one great grandchild and a sister in Reno, Nevada. He has a stepson and a granddaughter with Hazel.

Don had a great life, loved, and was loved. We are all better for having him in our lives and he will always live in our hearts.

...Family in the care of Erin Arteaga, Funeral Director