Francisco Suarez-Pella

We come today to remember and celebrate the life of Francisco Suarez-Pella. Frank passed away on May 18, 2024 peacefully after losing his battle with a degenerative neurological disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (3) three years after his diagnosis.

He was born in Havana, Cuba to Felix and Dulce Suarez on October 4, 1940. Frank left Cuba to enter college at the Colorado School of Mines in 1958. He never went back to Cuba after Fidel Castro took over the country. Frank had an entrepreneur spirit always looking for new business opportunities. During his early years he was involved with the Catholic Church in which he sold Bibles and managed the Southwest Region of the United States. Those opportunities led him to San Antonio in 1971. Frank also had a love for plants which led him to start a yard and landscape service out of his garage in March of 1974. This business was to become Green Grass Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance located at 5333 Randolph Blvd. While managing his business throughout the years he was involved with the Texas Association of Nurserymen (TAN) and the Texas Association of Landscape Contractors (TALC) in which he served as President for the term of 1988-1989. He was also involved with bringing the TAN and TALC Associations together to form the Texas Landscape and Nursery Association (TNLA) in 1999. While serving in these organizations Frank was one of the original (24) Certified Landscape Professionals to develop a program to allow people in the Landscaping Industry to become a Certified Landscape Professional in Texas. Green Grass Inc is now operated by his son John, the company just celebrated 50 years in business in which Frank attended.

Frank had a passion for soccer, snow skiing, traveling, Toastmasters and church. He played on a men’s soccer team until he was 55 years old. He was involved with the Los Amigos Ski Club for almost 35 years in which he developed lifelong friendships traveling and socializing with them all over the world until 2023. Frank was part of Toastmasters, serving in leadership, competing and mentoring new members in the art of speaking. Frank also enjoyed playing Texas Holdem with his Cuban friends on Friday nights for years. He loved dancing, dinners and wine. Frank enjoyed going to church and was involved in the initial growth of several churches. He would read his bible in the mornings prior to work, he was private in his faith and time with God.

Frank was a dedicated son to his mother until her death last year at the age of 103 years. He loved his family very much.

Frank is survived by his loving wife April Cloud Suarez; his daughter Anita Burke, her husband Vernon; his son John Suarez, his children Luke and Austin; his daughter Angie Gaida, her husband Royce, her child Alexis, his stepson Daniel Palacios; his stepson Wiley Cloud, his wife Stephanie and children; his stepson Wade Cloud, his wife Tiffany and children; alongside a lifetime of friends and business associates.

As we bid farewell to Francisco Suarez-Pella, we celebrate a life lived to the fullest, a journey that was both faith-filled and adventurous. His spirit will continue to inspire those who knew him and was touched by him. Frank’s legacy is a reminder to us all to live with courage, love deeply, and embrace the adventures that life presents.