HJHS Class of 1978. I remember him fondly, easily one of the best teachers and favorites among the student population. God bless you and your family.

Mr. Borgia was an extraordinary teacher and possessed the ability to relate to each student and draw out their understanding of any subject matter. He freely gave of himself to ensure the greatest possible success of his students in the classroom and in life,without being judgemental or harsh. I will remember his great personality and his laugh.  

Chris Mikelich, Class of1975, (Woodland, CA.)

Mr. Borgia had always been a teacher I looked up to!  He was always there for his students at Hiram Johnson.  No other teacher could do what he did for his students!  We, the students of Hiram Johnson, will always have fond memories of Mr. Borgia.  We love and miss you Mr. Borgia-we all, the students of Hiram Johnson, will never forget you-you gave us hope when we felt there was none!!

Mr. Borgia was such a kind and giving soul, a very talented teacher and gifted actor who touched so many lives because of his willingness to care for others in need.  I saw him more recently because he would attend my Dad's musical concerts and it was always a pleasure to see him!!! He will be greatly missed.

Mr. Borgia was by far the best teacher I had at Hiram Johnson.  He made school and learning fun.  He will be dearly missed.

Frank was my beloved cousin. I l;oved him so.I'll forget the times we went to the movies and lunches. He would do anything for anybody and do it willingly.There will be a bright shinning star in Heaven looking down on us saying "i'm with God, no more pain. I loved you so my cousin. Oh how i will miss you. God Bless You.  I will necer forget you.

Frank WAS MY ""IDOL "AS A great cousin and friend.We shared many happy times eating at famous resaurants and going to movies. I loved him dearly and i will look up in heaven and see this bright shinning star, saying Hi Ro Ro.I feel suxh a great loss and will grieve for him. God Bless you my cousin.

Mr. Borgia was a excellent teacher his laugh was so funny. He really cared about of us as students. He was very respected by all of his students. He made our history class interesting. He will be missed. 

Kathy Dotson-Smithhart

Class of 1974

Mr. Borgia was my favorite teacher! His students were enthralled by his teaching techniques and we learned so much from him. He taught with passion and unbridled infectious energy! Every student who was lucky enough to land a spot in his class knew they were fortunate.he had nothing but positive comments to share with students and his students loved and respected him for it. Even of you didn't want to be in school, you WANTED to be in Mr. Borgia's class. I never drive by Hiram Johnson without thinking of the cute white Volvo he used to drive and was a fixture in the teacher's parking lot. God bless him. I hope his family finds comfort in reading these entries and please accept my heartfelt condolences.

In Mr.Borgia's "Issues in American History" in about 1973 we actually discussed history, discussed politics.  It was a memorable class and influences the way I try to teach today. He will be missed. Gretchen Smurr, Woodland, CA

Mr. Borgia,  you shared your passion for learning and brought History to life.  You will be remembered by all the lives you touched.  That's what I call True Living History!  
Rest in Peace...

Mr. Borgia was truly an inspiration. He made learning easy and fun. He had an infectious personality and laugh, high energy and love for teaching and for us students. Thank you, Mr. Borgia,  for making your mark in our world and in our lives.

Mr. Borgia was a phenomenal teacher.  He engaged his students and made us think.  So many of my favorite classroom memories are from his class. RIP Mr. Borgia.  You made an impact and will always be remembered.

It's clear from reading these messages that so many other Hiram Johnson alumni share my sorrow at his loss and appreciation for what he did for his students.  Rest in peace, beloved teacher.

he made me interested in history truely love it with his passion.... what a great teacher.... one of my favorite teachers
Stan "Breck" Richards

Rest In Peace....

Lora Renville (Harvey)
Class of 74

RIP Mr. Borgia You were an amazing teacher....

Estella Tamayo
Class of "74" HJ

I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Borgia as my teacher in the late 70's. I loved the way we would rearrange the desks first thing, so he would have his stage in the middle of the room. He made history and current events exciting. He would make us bring an article from the newspaper to discuss. I loved the way he would bounce around the room. And, if you were not paying attention, he would bounce over to you and point his finger at you and ask a question. (never happened to me, but he sure scared a lot of kids into paying attention). He was a good hearted, wonderful man. He will be missed. His family will be in my thoughts and prayers. May his memory be eternal.

Mr. Borgia was the best teacher I have ever seen. Many of the techniques  used in my classroom copy what I enjoyed most about his class. There was never a dull moment, and he kept us working just above our ability level.  Words cannot express my appreciation for all his time and effort.

Mr. Borgia, thank you for being such a inspiration not only to me but to all who's life you touched for so many years, you believed in us and taught us do do the same, you made learning easy and fun...you may never know how close many were about to give up..you were on of the few that cared about us.

Many of us from the class of 1980 and other alumni owe so much to you, Rest in the Lord....James

I would like to send my condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Frank Borgia.  While I never had the blessing of being in one of his classes, I do remember seeing him in the halls of Hiram Johnson High School.  He always had a smile on his face;he always interacted with the students.  There was a mutual respect between he and his students, which was rare.  You can see by the comments made from his students and friends, that he was deeply loved and inspired so many to become better people.  He found his calling in this life and he will never be forgotten.  Rest in peace, sir.  You have certainly earned your angel wings.

Mr. Borgia was my absolute favorite teacher at Hiram Johnson(Class of 1989). He made learning fun! He had such a beautiful spirit, and always had that great smile on his face. I am so grateful that I was one of his students...Paula Tardio(Garrett)

My husband, Ken Schlim, and I were both on staff with Frank Borgia. We were also lucky to be parents of two daughters who had Mr. Borgia as a teacher.  He was definitely a teacher to be emulated.  He will be missed by many.

The way Frank lived life was an inspiration to everyone who knew him.  I will dearly miss his presence in yoga class at the YMCA.

When me and my friends reminisce about our time in high school and a favorite teacher's name is mentioned, it was usually Mr. Borgia's. He made that much of an impression on all of us. He made learning U.S. History fun for everyone. He inspired a lot of young people and showed them that learning was actually enjoyable and certainly very interesting. He is the gold standard by which I measured all my other teachers. He will be missed but never forgotten. RIP

Robbin Durfee  was so inspired by your teaching methods and also became a teacher; He tried to be the Best teacher but; he says there's only one  Great One and that's "You" Big Shoe to fill. :)
Condolences to the Family.

I remember meeting Mr Frank for the first time in 2005 when my boyfriend Robbin Durfee at that time introduced me to him and he mentioned that he was the Best teacher he ever had. He was at our wedding in 2007 and we are so grateful that he was part of our most memorable moments.We always see him at church every sunday and you can tell that even though he was not feeling well; He always gives you that smile and tells you all his lifes adventures. May You Rest In Peace.

I had the good fortune of having Mr. Borgia for history and although it was nearly 25 years ago, I still remember him as one of the best. He had such enthusiasm and made history interesting. I read one of the earlier posts that mentioned him going from "iceberg to iceberg". It made me realize he must have done that lesson the same way for years. But to me it felt like he made that up just for our class and we were special. Thanks Mr. Borgia for being a great teacher and a wonderful person. You will be missed.

Mr. Borgia was far and away the most memorable teacher I ever had. I have never forgotten the way he acted out scenes from Uncle Tom's Cabin, particularly Eliza's hopping across the icy river. I am so thankful that I was one of his students. My sympathy to his friends and family; Mr. Borgia will be long missed.

Mr. Borgia was a fantastic educator who was loved by most everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him!  I recall him to my own students even today as one of my favorite teachers.  I am proud to say that I knew him.
Trish Shoemaker Gonsalves
Hiram Johnson, Class of 89

Today is a sad day for me, because I lost my golfing buddy.  I first met Frank a few years back, when we both enrolled in a golfing class at City College. What a time we both had, trying to chase and hit the little white ball at William Land Park.  He would try very hard to hit the ball long and straight. At times he made his dream come true. 

We both had some things in common; he retired from teaching high school; I had taught school at Oklahoma State University. We both talked about how much we influenced our students for a better future.

About two years ago, he decided to try his newly discovered talent of acting. Frank took a few acting classes and had parts in a few local plays and videos. Frank headed to Hollywood in Southern Cailifornia for some more acting classes. He was beginning to get known in Hollywood when he became ill. We never play golf again.

My wife and I visited Frank at the hospital a few days before he was released and went home. 

My condolences to his family and close friends, I am very proud to have met him and call him my friend.

I only met Frank Borgia last year.  He was my Husband's golfing buddy.  What a great sence of humor.

He would often call to set up golfing tee times.  I always recongnized his voice on the phone before he said his name.  He was so full of life and laughter.  He was such a wonderful person.  He always made me smile.

He touched so many lives with his kindness, humor, and enthusiasm.

I read through all the comments and I couldn't agree more with them.  Mr. Borgia was an amazing and memorable teacher and I credit his letter of recommendation for my college applications for my acceptance.  He will certainly be missed but it sounds like his teaching practices are being modeled by a lot of his previous students and this is wonderful.

Mr. Borgia was truly a great man and teacher. He inspired all of us who were his students. Funny story: As a freshman in Boston, while taking my 5pm nap (how lazy we can be in college) there was a knock at my dorm room door. It was Mr. Borgia! He came in, sat with me and chatted for 30 minutes and all of sudden left (he was visiting Rhode Island at the time). I remember when we said our goodbyes that he was such a spirited man with so much friendliness and passion. He will be missed.

Very sad to hear of his passing , his classes were so popular that I actually never had him in any classes. I heard how AWESOME his classes were and of his work outside of Hiram Johnson High School. His light will shine forever.

Such sad news.  Mr. Borgia made history class so enjoyable.  I remember how he would go down the aisle between student's desks, bending at the knees and saying 'Down by the river'.  Sad day for HJHS alumni.

In my mind history will always be associated with Mr. Borgia. I never had so much fun in a class! Thanks for being such a bright light in the world. Sending healing thoughts and prayers to Mr. Borgia's family.

We are so very sorry for the family's loss

Hard-working, dedicated, passionate and an inspiration to all his students. He made the world a better place for us all. He will be sorely missed.

I had several excellent teachers at Hiram Johnson High School. However, when I later returned to teach at the school (2000-2006), it was after Mr. Borgia that I patterned much of my classroom practices. His class was a rite of passage in our family and for thousands of Hiram Johnson students. He brought enthusiasm and humor to the study of history. He held high standards, shared responsibility in his students' successes and failures, and cared deeply about cultivating informed citizens through a critical study of the past. I remember every book we read, every paper he assigned, and every one-on-one conversation we had through the years. I'm incredibly grateful for the profound impact he has had on my life. Rest peacefully, dear teacher.

History was not one of my favorite subjects (at the time), but Mr. Borgia made the class very entertaining! I remember him hopping and walking in circles in class while passionately giving us history lessons. It is very sad that he is gone. My condolences to his friends and family. 
Kelli (Class of 90)

Mr. Borgia was unique in that he truly had a passion for his work and really cared for his students.  I will never forget the way he made his class fun and entertaining.  It's been 30 years since I've taken his class.  Mr. Borgia is one of the few teachers that stood out amongst others.  I consider myself blessed that I attended his class.  My deepest condolences go to his family.  Mr. Borgia will be dearly missed.

I am so saddened by this news. I will forever remember his jolly nature, charismatic teaching, and love for his students' well-being.  May he rest in eternal peace.

I shall remember Frank Borgia as the teacher who stood on tables.  What an enthusiastic, children loving, history expert was this man!  He may have been small in stature, but when he imparted his knowledge to his students, no man rose above him.  His students could see that his interest in them was genuine, and they worked hard to master their subject for him and for themselves.  Frank shall be sorely missed, but he leaves a beautiful legacy to his students, his fellow teachers, his friends, and his family.  I shall stand on my table and salute you, dear friend.

Frank's energy, sense of humor, and love of teaching made all of us who worked with him better teachers and better people.

Mr. Borgia made history come alive! He presented the past but brought current events into the discussion. What an amazing teacher. My condolences to his family.

Although I didn't have Mr. Borgia as a teacher when I was at HJ, I was lucky enough to be a colleague when I returned to teach. Mr. Borgia always had a smile on his face. When he retired he wrote me a very inspiring note regarding passing on the torch to the next generation. I still have it. Mr. Borgia sir, you will be missed.

Mr. Borgia is one of very few teachers who left an impression me.  There was not a single class in which he was just going through the motions.  He was ever enthusiastic and revealed, much to my surprise, just how interesting history really is.  His love of teaching (and life!) was apparent every day, as was his concern for his students' success.

My sadness today is not for Mr. Borgia - I have no doubt that a man with his gusto led a full, rich life - but for those who will feel a profound void at the loss of such an amazing person.

He was a special human being and I will always be thankful for the things he taught us, not just the subjects in class but the examples on how to live life with such enthusiasm.

     I was lucky enough to have Mr. Borgia in my junior year. I was not a great student, but he worked with me to make sure I passed the class. But what I really remember is his reaction to my antics. For example, a friend and I used to hide notes to one another in the classroom (often behind his many posters), then leave a hint as to their location on his chalkboard. It became rather a distraction, as other students started to try to guess the location of the note. But Mr. Borgia appreciated our creativity and laughed it off, even allowing the class to spend a few minutes solving the mystery. 
     A year later, when the senior awards came around, I was surprised to learn that I had earned one. Although I was a National Merit Scholar finalist, I hadn't won, yet I was honored as a finalist at the senior awards ceremony. It wasn't until later I learned that Mr. Borgia had fought to make sure I received the honor. 
     I am a teacher now, and Mr. Borgia is someone I model my own teaching philosophy on: I knew he was always on my side, wanting me to succeed. His loss is a great one, and deeply felt. I know he'll be missed by generations of students along with his family. My condolences.

I took Mr. Borgia's class over 20 years ago and still remember his enthusiastic lessons.  I majored in history because of him.  He was such a great man and the best teacher I ever had.  Thank you, Mr. Borgia.  My deepest condolences go out to his family.

I feel fortunate to have been a colleague of Frank's at Hiram Johnson from 1988 to 2001. He was an amazing teacher, a true advocate for his students, and a wonderful man. There were many days when his humor and positive outlook helped me to make through another day. He was truly larger than life.

He was a wonderful teacher!  We ran into him at Music Circus or other theatre events at the Community Center Theatre.

I truly was enriched having Frank as a colleague for the two years I worked at HJHS.  He clearly loved his job and his students.

Mr. Borgia blessed so many student's lives.  He is proof that true learning is sparked by great teaching.

Mr. Borgia was a wonderful teacher who helped develop my love of history!  Always put his students first. I am sure he is up in heaven jumping "from iceberg, to iceberg to iceberg...."

I hadn't seen Mr. Borgia in over 25 years, but I still remember him as the enthusiastic, believing and absolutely memorable History teacher that he was. I went on to take many history classes at UC Berkeley and Harvard University and I attribute my love of history to his way of zipping around the class and bringing it to life. He always believed in us as students. Never though we couldn't not excel because of the color of our skin or our income level. He was a bight light in my education and I thank him for that! RIP. You are long remembered :)

Mr. Borgia was easily my favorite high school teacher. He was inspiring, energetic, and 100% committed to teaching. Today I teach classes of my own and often think of Mr. Borgia when preparing for a lecture. Would this be "Mr. Borgia quality" I ask myself. He was a great influence on my life, personally and professionally.

I wish the world had a million more Mr. Borgia's out there teaching.  He definitely made history come alive.  I feel so privleged to have taken his class.  And I'm still a history geek.

Mr Borgia was not only a great teacher and mentor, he worked with my father at Senior Gleaners making sure that people who were doing without food and other supplies would receive them.  He put his students and community first.  He made History and Government worth learning.  You made a difference in peoples lives thank you.

What sad, sad news. Mr. Borgia was one of my favorite teachers of all time (and I've had a lot of teachers). In his American history course in 1980, he brought humor and heart and enthusiasm to everything he did. (I remember how he allowed for "midnight riders" to deliver their term papers--to his parents' house?--late at night, his constant marching around the class as he spoke, and the ecclectic music he played to set the tone for the era we were studying.)  It's amazing how that class still comes to mind for me today. It was so obvious that Mr. Borgia really "cared" about us and about his work.  What a dear, gentle, twinkling soul of a man. God bless you, Mr. Borgia. Eternal thanks and a peaceful rest to you until we meet again.

The HJHS Class of 1981 was blessed with the presence of "Mr. Borgia" at our 20 year reunion in 2001.  Our classmates had so many fond memories of him and his unique style of teaching, that he was talked about for the rest of the night and at the next two reunions over the following 10 years.  He is definitely a teacher for the history books!  RIP

The only reason I finished high school was because of Mr. Borgia (class of 1981).  I was convinced I had nothing to gain from school.  Mr. Borgia, though, was fun, entertaining, and caring.  I finished high school and, later, college because of him (and now I'm a teacher myself!).  I'm so sorry for his loss, but I'm one of many who carries him in our hearts and minds.  There are very few teachers who can inspire people like Frank Borgia did.

Frank Borgia was a great friend and a superb teacher!  He will be mourned by generations of students from Hiram Johnson High School!

OBITUARY

Frank Borgia

March 8, 1937 – September 21, 2012

Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home

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