Bernardo Franco Armas

Bernardo Franco Armas, Sr. resident of San Ysidro, California for 78 years, passed away peacefully at his home with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren by his side on Saturday morning, January 29, 2022, at the age of 90 years. Bernardo also known as Bernie to his many friends of the community was born in Guadalajara, México on August 20, 1931. Bernardo’s parents were Pablo Armas and Maria De Jesús Franco Armas. Bernardo had two brothers: Arturo and Ralph and four sisters: Rebecca, Esperanza, Mary and Esther. Bernie is survived by Rebecca, Ralph and Mary.

Bernardo married Carolyn Mary Varela, resident of San Ysidro on July 12, 1952. Bernie and Carol were blessed with six children, four sons and two daughters: William Armas who married Elizabeth Kirker Armas, Nestor Phillip Armas who passed away after three days of life, Judy Armas Navarro who married Alfredo Navarro, Bernie Nicasio Armas, II who married María Araceli Dueñas Armas, Albert Toribio Armas who married Deborah Lucero Armas and Christina Armas Estrada who married Victor Manuel Estrada.

Bernardo had twelve grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren: Willie and Elizabeth have three adult children: William Joshua, Aaron Michael and Emily Elizabeth. William Joshua who married Karina have three children: Easton, Jade and Cruz. Emily who married Kenny Murphy have two children: Alexia and Amara. Judy and Alfredo Navarro have three adult children: Saraí Bernadette, José Alfredo and Nestor Phillip. Saraí Bernadette who married Mark González have three children: Danniel, Dominic and Ayianna. Nestor has a son named Amir Sebastian. Bernie and Araceli have one adult child: Andrea Michelle Armas Velázquez who married Frank Velázquez and have two children: John Michael Velázquez and Zoey Michelle Velázquez. Albert and Deborah have two adult children: Gabriela Lana Armas and Ariel Andrés Armas. Christina and Victor have three adult children: Jacquelyn Christine Estrada, Victoria Caroline Estrada and Tomás Estrada. Tomás who married Alannah De León have three children: Arianna Jasmine Estrada, Olivia Belle Estrada and Josie Glorina Estrada.

Bernardo had the opportunity for a formal education. He attended Chula Vista High School and graduated from the first class of graduates at Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach, California. Bernie furthered his education, which helped him gain employment with General Dynamics Convair as an aerospace machinist.

Bernardo volunteered to join the United States Army as a citizen of México in 1952 after his is older brother, Arturo and his best friend Sixto Varela, Carolyn’s brother, were drafted to fight in the Korean War. Bernie served as an infantry soldier and as a communications field soldier. He served proudly and earned the rank Drill Sergeant before honorably discharged from the Army. .

At the end of the war, Bernardo returned to San Ysidro where he lived for the rest of his life in the same home on East Beyer Blvd. Bernie appreciated his community and the residents of the community. He served in San Ysidro as a volunteer fireman, San Ysidro School Board Member and Board President, San Diego Park and Recreation advocate for residents of San Ysidro, baseball manager at San Ysidro Little League, Southwest Little League, Imperial Beach Pony League and Imperial Beach Colt League. With Carol by his side, Bernie was most proud of his role spearheading the Larsen Field Sports Complex Project. He worked with elected officials from the City and County of San Diego, including employees from the San Diego Park and Recreation Department and the Model Cities Organization. As President, Bernie formed a community group, which began the Larsen Field Project in 1970 and was completed in May of 1975. Bernie felt the residents of San Ysidro needed a sports complex to play baseball, softball, soccer and have social events. Bernie’s vision of Larsen Field’s sports complex was to be a place for all residents of San Ysidro to enjoy. In May of 1975, Bernardo and Carol were named the Grand Marshalls of the annual San Ysidro Parade.

Bernardo had a great passion for playing baseball, which he learned from Dr. Michael Bajo, the only doctor in San Ysidro. Bernie played varsity football and baseball while in high school. He played amateur baseball in Tijuana/San Diego and fast pitch softball in San Diego. Bernardo had a great love for racehorses. He rode horses at a very early age in Guadalajara. He owned thoroughbred racehorses that raced at Del Mar, Santa Anita and Golden Gate racetracks in California.

Funeraría Del Angel Chula Vista will host a viewing for Bernardo on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The mass service will be on February 23, 2022 at Mount Carmel Church in San Ysidro at 11:00 a.m. Immediately afterwards, the burial services will be at Fort Rosecrans Cemetery in Point Loma at 1:30 p.m.