Frank F. Francisco

Frank F. Francisco, 93, Retired Major U.S. Army, of Bethlehem, Pa. died Monday 12/21/ 09 at Hospice of the VNA at St. Luke's in Lower Saucon Township.

Major Francisco was the husband of the late Irene E. Magocs Francisco who died in 1989.

Born in Cesa, Italy he is the son of the late Pasquale and Rose Esposito deFrancesca.

Frank and his family moved to New York City when he was 4 years old. During his youth he held many jobs before entering the U. S. Army and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. He was a proven leader and quickly moved up the ranks to Major. He served in the Pacific Theatre during WW II and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his bravery. After the Korean Conflict he helped to rebuild the highways in the war torn Korea.

Retiring as a U.S. Army Major in 1962 he took a position as a civilian with the Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, N.J. retiring in 1981.

He and his wife settled in Bethlehem in 1962 and became charter members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Bethlehem where he enjoyed singing with the choir.

Surviving are his daughters: Susan Francisco of Bethlehem, Carol Francisco wife of John Forde of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada and Valerie wife of Paul Coton of Tampa, Fla., his sons: Frank F. Francisco, III and his wife Donna of Easton, Pa., John P. Francisco and his wife Deborah of Marlboro, N.J., his sisters: Mary Venuti of Richmond, VA, Susie Ciccotelli of Bronx, N.Y. and Anne Loia of Fishkill, N.Y. and his six grandchildren John-Austen, Theresa, Mia, Naomi, Dimitri and Bianca.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday December 28th at 11:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church 3219 Santee Road Bethlehem, Pa.

A visitation will be held on Monday 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the Church