Francisco J. "Frank" / "Paco" Duran

His parents were Francisco & Elena Duran. Frank was raised in San Francisco, California. He showed great respect for his mother and father throughout his life. He never failed to call home on a weekly basis to speak with "Mama" focusing on a variety of topics from the weather to politics.

Throughout his life, Frank always showed great love of family. He had one brother Ray Duran. Frank and his sibling had the typical rivalries while growing up, but they cared deeply for one another.

As a young boy, Frank lived a childhood like many others. Frank took part in football. In his spare time he often got roped into helping his father with his carpentry business.

High school was a time for Frank to seek out knowledge. He enjoyed learning and had a natural interest in gathering information. Frank took his education seriously. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1958. He had fond memories of many of the Brothers including one that he always said set him on the right course. He kept in touch for many years with his friends in high school.

Frank spent a brief amount of time working towards a degree at Berkley. He became a citizen during those years with the aid of one of his coaches. When he moved to Chicago, he continued to pursue course work in the evening while he worked during the day.

While those who did not know him well found Frank to be somewhat reserved until they got to know him, he could enjoy himself and the people around him. Frank had an easygoing and open-minded attitude towards life. He presented a pleasant face to the outside world but concealed the pain and discomfort he often felt over the difficulties in his life. Though a solitary man he had some close friends in Chet, John, Andy, Charlie, Bob and Carlos over the years.

He married on February 23, 1974, exchanging wedding vows with Sandy Costulas at St. Johns Greek Orthodox Church of Des Plaines, Illinois. They were surrounded by friends and family and he always remembered the day with fondness.

Frank was a quiet person who held deep feelings for his children. He enjoyed having fun with his kids and was at times fiercely protective of them. He was blessed with 2 children, one daughter, Nicole and one son, Aristotle.

Frank's life was centered around work for many years. His primary occupation was in sales. He was a small business owner for most of his life. He always believed that he would be extremely successful one day.

Frank enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were tennis, and he loved jazz, riding his motorcycle, and watching action movies or the Godfather episodes over and over. Frank was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but he was also willing to share his interests with others.

Frank was fiercely competitive in his younger years. In high school, Frank played football. Recreational sports included tennis, swimming & lifting weights. Frank also enjoyed watching sports and liked following his favorite teams whenever he got the chance to do so. Tops on his list were football and tennis.

Frank was passionate in his beliefs and being a very skilled communicator, he could really come alive when involved in a project. One such project was Aspira of Illinois. It was a place to help young people of his ethnic group become literate in business skills so that they were able to find jobs.

Frank enjoyed traveling. At the beginning of his career he was in the travel industry. Taking trips provided the chance for him to mix business with pleasure , to visit new places and see new things. Favorite vacations included Las Brisas, Hawaii, and Puerto Vallarta.

Frank was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Frank's favorites was Tabby, a cat. His family was rounded out by his 3 other cats, Kiki, Petey, and Samantha, Joaquin, the cockatiel, 3 dogs Peppy, Poo and Duchess, and his tropical fish. He always said that his animals "didn't talk back" and always loved him no matter what.

Though Frank always appeared to be dreaming of greener pastures, he had to accept retirement when it finally came in 2000 due to illness. His favorite pastime was getting into his "yellow bus" to go and have breakfast with his buds at the local restaurant. He also loved his rocking chair and the History and Food channels.

Frank passed away on September 4, 2012 at The Carlton on the Lake, Chicago, Illinois. He had struggled with diabetes for many years and results of multiple strokes. He is survived by his children Nicole & Aristotle. Frank will be cremated and Nicole and Aristotle will spread his ashes into the San Francisco Bay near his family home.

If you asked him, he would tell you that his greatest accomplishments in his life were his two children, Nicole and Aristotle. They remain a gift to whoever they meet and touch in this life. For Frank J. "Frank" / "Paco" Duran there could be no greater legacy.

Francisco J. “Frank” / “Paco” Duran, age 71, beloved father of Nicole and Aristotle Duran; former husband of Sandy Duran, nee Costulas; dear brother of Ray (Ruth) Duran. Memorial Visitation Saturday, September 8, 2012 from 11:00 am until time of Memorial Service at 1:00 pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle (on Rt. 53, ½ mile south of Ogden Ave. / Rt. 34). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Assn., P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. For additional information, call 630-964-9392.