Francisco V. Franco

Francisco (Frank) Victor Franco, of Fresno, CA, passed away on December 26th, 2022, with his wife, children, and grandchild lovingly by his side. His wife, children and grandchild showered him with as much love as possible during his last two years.

Frank was born on October 3, 1938, to Ignacio and Carmen Franco in Fresno, CA. Frank had a difficult childhood due to his contraction of polio at the age of 8 months in 1939. With the help of his loving mother Carmen, he endured the many hospitalizations and surgeries needed to help him walk and stay active. These procedures also created his trademark limp.

Frank’s stubborn nature and determination helped to make him a strong athlete. He was a member of the Fresno State Water Polo Team, Captain of the Fresno Wheelers wheelchair basketball team and a record setting high school rope climber. His disability didn’t prevent him from keeping up with his childhood friends Jess Lujan and Donald Starr, or from getting underfoot of his mother and 7 brothers and sister.

In 1960, Frank met his wife, Rose Martinez, and went on to have 4 children: Michelle, Greg, Frank, and Steven. Frank put family first, always, and was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.

Frank lived a life dedicated to family, church, and community. He began his 30+ year career with the State of California in 1965. He was always involved in his children’s activities and became the boy’s Scoutmaster, served as the Santa Ana Valley High School Band Booster President and was a volunteer for the Mission Viejo Water Polo Club. Frank also gave back to the communities he lived in volunteering his time for St. Vincent DePaul. He was also instrumental in building up the charitable Christmas Basket program at St. Rose Catholic Church in Roseville, CA, where he also started a long and fulfilling relationship as a member of the Knights of Columbus.

In 1993 Frank affectionately became “Papa” with the birth of his only grandchild, Olivia, to whom he always seemed to have an unending supply of chocolate coins.

Frank was predeceased by his son Steven in 1985 and leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Rose. He is also survived by his three children: Michelle, Greg, and Frank, his daughter-in-law Susan, his son-in-law Greg, and his granddaughter Olivia. Services will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Las Vegas Nevada at 10:30 AM on January 12th, 2023. The service e will be preceded by a Rosary Service at 10:05 AM. The family requests that donations in Lieu of floral tributes be made in the name of Frank to The March of Dimes and Shriners Hospital, two charitable organizations that were instrumental to his childhood polio recovery.

Frank (Papa) will be Forever Loved, Forever Missed, & Forever in our Hearts!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmnorthwest.com for the Franco family.