Francis "Frank" Esch

Frank was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania to Joseph Esch and Beatrice Menno, however he considered his stepmother Mary mom. His difficult childhood shaped the hardworking man he would become. As a small child, Frank's mother sent the children on errands far away across town. Sadly, while they were away, she emptied the house and left the family with no explanation. Faced with the inability to work and care for his children, Joseph made the difficult decision to send his children to St. Mary’s Villa, an orphanage for children. Frank was separated from his siblings and placed into what he called a ‘cripple home’ for kids operated by The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Here he received care for a chronic leg injury after falling out of a cart and being crushed by a wooden wagon. He underwent multiple surgeries and contracted gang green. On death's doorstep he was one of the first recipients to be issued penicillin which ultimately saved his life and led to recovery.

As a small child, Frank proved resourceful. At 6 years old while living in the orphanage, Frank found a box of footballs. He placed the footballs in a wagon, walked to town and sold the balls for cash. Frank laughed when he told the story as an adult even though as a youth he got in trouble when the nuns discovered his entrepreneurial efforts. The footballs were Christmas presents for the children but little Frank didn’t know this and was just trying to make a buck. He spent approximately 6 years in the orphanage before being reunited with his father and new stepmother Mary. Mary was a loving woman who was kind and caring towards the children. Frank considered her his mother for the rest of his life.

Frank excelled in school. He was a skilled swimmer, ran track in high school and could beat almost anyone in chess. He was promised a scholarship for his academic achievements as a teen but the school administrator awarded the scholarship to his own child instead of Frank. Ever resourceful, Frank found another way to receive similar training. Frank forged his father's signature and joined the AirForce at 17 years old. He served 12 years and worked on B52 planes and trained in electronics. In the private sector, he continued working as an electrical engineer at HE Guernsey. Before retiring Frank branched out as a self-employed independent testing agent and worked on multiple power plants across Colorado and New Mexico.

Frank was a devoted husband most of his life. He married Patricia in 1959. He wanted to get married young so he could grow up with his kids. Together Frank and Patricia had two children, Cecilia and Mark. Frank worked extra hours at a boat house and car restoration shop for additional money to support his family while serving in the Air Force. Frank and Patricia were married 30 years before she passed. Frank married Frances Esch in Oklahoma City, in 1987. Frank and Fran shared 30 years of marriage traveling the world together. Even though he was a worldly man, Frank always held a special place in his heart for Colorado where he worked and lived 6 months out of the year in his RV with Fran before she passed. Frank married Nancy Brazil in Colorado Springs in 2019. Together, side by side, he shared his final 5 years with Nancy before he passed.

Frank was a man of faith. Influenced by his step-mother's faith, he grew up Catholic. As an adult Frank attended the United Methodist Church of the Servant in Oklahoma for 30 years. He traveled with the church to Jerusalem where he walked the holy land in Jesus’s footsteps and was baptized in the Jordan river. Frank's generosity and faith led him to commission a life sized handcrafted bronze statue of Jesus letting the little children come unto him which proudly resides in Church of the Servant to this day.

He enjoyed being the smartest man in the room and always had something to say. A project with Frank would only take a “couple hours” but we all knew it would be 4 trips to the store and 2 days later before completed. He worked at his own pace but he patiently taught others the process while he worked. He encouraged you to be hands on with him and learn along the way. If Frank tackled a task the finished product would be quality perfection and last forever.

He enjoyed a good steak, hated eating chicken, no yard bird for him, and detested peas. His lips seldom touched water because he said, “Water would rust his pipes.” He ran on coffee or hot tea. He loved an evening Lambrusco, Riunite Red or Drambuie and he never passed up a beer.

Frank was a gamer. Bingo, Pegs and Jokers, Farkle, Uno, Rummicube, Mexican Train, Go Fish; he played and won them all. His luck was unending. He enjoyed being a kid at heart. He shot fireworks off on 4th of July, could host an uproarious dirty Santa party on Christmas Eve and purchased silly musical cards for every occasion. He assembled ships in bottles, collected music boxes, Christmas nativities, lions, lambs and displayed singing toys that danced throughout his home. His favorite color was orange. He and Nancy shared a love of hummingbirds together.

He was a private man who worked hard, protected his family and kept his loved ones close. He was a son, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, coworker, teacher, friend, a man of faith and so much more. Each person who knew Frank had a unique relationship with him. Frank touched and influenced those in his life deeply and because of this he was loved by many and will be missed by all.

Frank is survived by his:

Wife: Nancy Brazil

Children: Cecilia and Mark Esch

Grand children: Brandon Esch, Holly Gray and Jason Sheueckuk

Great grandchildren: Case and Cole Gray, Owen Esch

A visitation for Francis will be held Friday, February 7, 2025 from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM at Memorial Gardens Cemetery & Funeral Home, 3825 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80910.

A funeral service will occur Friday, February 7, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 3825 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80910.

A committal service will occur Friday, February 7, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80925.