Mr. Francisco Frank, Isko S. Roxas

Francisco Soriano Roxas (1930 ~ 2014) also known as “Isco” or “Frank” was born to Adriano Roxas and Melchora Soriano on June 08, 1930 in Abucay, Bataan, Philippines. He was the eldest of six children who were Benito Roxas, Lita Baluyot, Rosie Palmera, Pacquito Roxas and Cena Ramos. He led a simple life in Wawa, Abucay by the sea where he fished and sailed with his family. A vivid childhood story from him is when a typhoon flooded their village and water levels became so high they were boating and fishing inside his actual house and in the streets.

After graduating high school Frank joined the US Navy in 1954 where he led an outstanding career as a Store Keeper 1st Class with the following awards: Good Conduct Fifth Award; Vietnam Service Medal/Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Device; National Defense Service Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

During his tenure in the Navy, Frank met Orlando Villanueva (Tito Orly) who is married to Belinda Villanueva (Tita Bellie) and while visiting their home and looking at their family photo albums, Frank saw a picture of Belinda’s sister Annabella Reyes (Bella) and was mesmerized by her beauty and asked for her contact information. They became pen pals for about two years and when Frank went home to the Philippines in 1968 he proposed to Bella. Frank and Bella got married on October 25, 1969 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Quezon City, Philippines.

Frank and Bella had a wonderful marriage of almost 45 years and are blessed with 6 children between them who are Annalynn (Lynn-Lynn), Annaliza (Apple), Annamira (Imee), Debbie Ann (Peachy Boy) who were born in the United States and Franklin (Kiko) and Jeffrey (Bunsoy) who were born in the Philippines.

After 21+ years of service, Frank retired from the Navy and in 1975 he decided to move back to the Philippines with his family to live in Villa Verde Homes, Novaliches, Quezon City. There he continued his studies and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Husbandry in 1981. He also appreciated the fruits of his retirement by enjoying his hobbies of cock fighting, raising farm animals, playing volleyball with his village buddies, poker, bowling and following his favorite basketball teams and boxing matches.

In 1989 and 1990, when Frank’s daughters Apple and Imee left the Philippines to complete their studies in the United States, Frank missed the completeness of his family and decided to head back to the United States bringing the rest of his family back together again in 1991. With his family together again and living in Spring Valley, CA, Frank began working as a Security Guard at Mt. Miguel Convalescent Home for 2 years and eventually, Frank and Bella purchased their final home and settled in Chula Vista, CA where they can stay close with the family.

Surprisingly in 1995, Frank’s first daughter, Rosie Kopanski (who was born in a prior relationship to Bella) and had not known of her real father until her teen years, found Frank. They were reunited and Rosie was welcomed to the Roxas’ Family with open arms. Frank had a total of 7 children.

Frank was a family man throughout and he cherished the many family trips such as Sibol Bataan, Lido Beach, Bicol, Baguio, Cabo San Lucas, Palm Springs and Las Vegas. He also enjoyed staying home cooking his famous chicken barbecue, playing card games like poker, pusoy dos and trump with the whole family, and not to forget, he loves keeping his front and side yards well groomed with his “green thumb” in gardening. Frank was also quite a dancer and we can’t forget his dance moves to boogie, swing and cha-cha. Finally, Frank was a sharp dresser too - everybody thought he resembled the famous Filipino actors Leopoldo Salcedo and Eddie Garcia.

During his final months with us, Frank was diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2014 and his battle ended when he passed away two months after. Although he was taken so soon he did not suffer much. God is good… Frank passed away comfortably and peacefully. He was able to spend his last days with his family in his own home… able to still comprehend and managed to let his final wishes known to his family. Truly a blessing! On the morning of that day Frank told his daughter, Apple, that he had a ship to catch and he didn’t want to be late. Frank being a sailor from beginning to end caught his last ship home and sailed away on March 28th, 2014.

Frank led an amazing and blessed life with a broad range of accomplishments including an exemplary career in the US Navy and being the foundation of his family. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather to his wife, 7 children, 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild and is survived by:

Wife:

Annabella Roxas

Children:

Rosie Kopanski

Annalynn Roxas

Annaliza (Apple) Hernandez

Annamira (Imee) Karty

Debbie Ann Daza

Franklin Roxas

Jeffrey Roxas

Grandchildren:

Jennifer Bloodworth, Jake and Joey Kopanski

Deanne, Douglas Jay and Danica Daza

Robert and Franco Hernandez

Jonah and Joey Karty

Ace, Alexis, and Chloe Roxas

Great Grandchild:

Charlotte Bloodworth

Date of Service: April 11, 2014

Place of Service: Glenn Abbey, 3838 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902, (619) 498-4600

Time of Service: Visitation from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, Funeral Services 10:00 AM

Final Resting Place: Glenn Abbey, Bonita, CA