Francisco Javier "Frank" Bengochea

Francisco Javier "Frank" Bengochea of Pasadena, Texas returned to Jesus' loving arms on Monday, November 30, 2020. He was admitted to St. Luke's Medical Center on July 4, 2020 with Covid-19, and miraculously survived the infection after one of the longest hospitalizations for the disease thanks to God; his many caretakers; and prayers from his family, loved ones, friends, and strangers from around the world. Prayers lifting Frank to God, and imploring Him for His Healing intervention were offered from locales such as the Philippines, and the St. Elias monastery in Lebanon. As a result, on November 13, 2020 he was released from Kindred rehabilitation hospital, and returned home to his wife Mary, and son Alex. After approximately two weeks, he was readmitted to St. Luke's on November 25, 2020, but sadly was not able to overcome the remnant complications that the disease inflicted on his body. Frank passed in the early morning hours of November 30 with Mary faithfully, and lovingly at his side.

Frank was born in Havana, Cuba on July 25, 1965. As a child, he and his family lived near a fire fighting school in Cuba, where he often watched the fire training drills. As soon as he was able to speak, he would tell his family that he wanted to be a fire fighter when he grew up. Frank, his mother, father, sisters, and brother "Kiki" emigrated from Cuba to the United States via Madrid, Spain in 1972, settling in Texas that same year. He grew up in Livingston, Texas and Pasadena, Texas where he graduated from Sam Rayburn High School, attended college, and eventually married and began a family. He made his dream of becoming a fire fighter a reality, and has served the citizens of Pasadena as a volunteer fire fighter since September 18, 1985. Frank also worked for the City of Pasadena for approximately twenty-nine years holding the positions of Fire and Police Dispatcher, Deputy Fire Marshal, Assistant Fire Marshal, and Emergency Management Coordinator.

He is preceded by his brother Juan Enrique Bengochea, who passed in Cuba as an infant; his father Enrique Ramon Bengochea, MD; and his brother Enrique Ramon "Kiki" Bengochea, Jr. He is survived by his wife Mary; his son Alex; his son Michael Carver and wife Ilicia; his two grandchildren Zach and Izzy; his mother Maria; his sisters Maria Regina, Julie and husband Hugo, and Maria Teresa; his nieces and nephews Isabella, Mariana, Juliana, Ruby, Enrique, and Max; and his extended family.

Our gratitude is forever extended to Frank's doctors, nurses, and caretakers both in the St. Lukes ICU, and at Kindred. Your care and vigilance was exemplary, and, in many cases, an expression of true love and compassion. All of you most certainly facilitated Frank's return home. We are all greatly saddened by the loss of this very kind and gentle man; however, we are thankful that he was in our lives, and pray that we are fortunate enough to, someday, once again be in his company.

Frank dedicated his life to the service of others. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, please, instead, perform acts of kindness for others. The individual, organization, or facility may be anything close to your heart.

"The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.", Isaiah 57:1-2.

Frank was indeed a righteous man, as well as a faithful, loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. We who love, and remain to remember Frank pray:

God, our Father in Heaven, please accept and welcome Your kind servant Frank into Your loving arms, and grant him eternal peace. We ask this in Your son's Holy name, Jesus.