Our Dad, Grandpa… Remembering the first day we met, I was 4 years old sick with a terrible fever. You told mom you were going to the store and will be right back. When you came back you had a bag full of medicine for me and then later to find out we shared the same birthdays, September 15th was our day. 
 It takes more than a DNA to be a dad, and that you were. You were and always will be my dad. I will forever be grateful for the love you gave us and caring for us as your own. There are so many memories  to share but I will never forget the one where we got into an argument. 
I was getting after Harmony and I made her cry, you told me to stop making her cry and I told you don’t worry I’m trying to discipline her and you got so upset and yelled it’s because I love her and I care about her so leave her alone….That was your Harmony. I didn’t show it but right then and there I wanted to hug you for being the best grandpa she could ever have. We love you grandpa, our memories we will cherish forever.

-your mayeee

“A great man is one who leaves others at a loss after he is gone.” 
It is fitting that this quote is from a French Poet.  Joe was an integral part in getting me to play basketball in Belgium. As a souvenir, I bought him a lighter in Paris, France.  Every time I saw him and with a big smile, he would always remind me about that lighter.  When I had my back surgery, he would stop in and bring me buttered pecan ice cream. Of course, we also shared a few dances.  I respected him and thought of him as an uncle because of his support and guidance. Joe was greatly loved, and he will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace. Love, Natalie 

For as long as I can remember, you’ve always been the provider of the household. The macho man with the mustache! Strongest and toughest man. A true fighter. Under all that toughness, you were and have always been our Joe-Dad. Cracking jokes to anyone around. I always remember when you first got me good when I was little, by telling me my name was Loca in Spanish! I was so happy yelling it around the house while you and mom laughed lol. On top of that, boy did you always make something out of nothing.. Like our bamboo fishing poles! Our slip and slides! Our bomb fires! Being our Santa every year to surprise us and make us laugh lol. Dancing! Always dancing and singing to mom or having us dance and sing for fun. You’d put on.. “Girls just wanna have fun”.. Going in circles till we get dizzy! Oh and my favorite memory was you hiding your snacks from us bc for some reason out of all the food.. Your snacks were my favorite lol! So many memories. I’ll especially never forget the day you told me you were proud of me after graduating… I hope I can continue to make you proud. It wasn't always rainbows and butterflies… But it was our life/our family. I love you and always will carry these memories and the valuable lessons you taught me.. Mom misses you so much.. We all do. 
-Your chubby.   

So many great memories… so grateful we got to share them with you. 
I’ll remember…Your little radio you carried with you, playing your favorite songs with the volume on high so everyone can hear it. Most times if anyone is lucky, you danced around the house to it. All the bbqs we got to have “it’s not burnt, it’s just crispy” as you would say lol. We won’t forget the bacon wraps either..those are your favorite.  The endless stories you had from back in your day, repeatedly telling those stories in case we somehow forgot… we won’t ever forget. 



Celebrating your recent birthday in this photo (singing the birthday song, fast paced) because you said it should be that way as you snapped your fingers and did your little dance on every birthday!
I’m so glad Maxx was able to experience some of these memories I grew up with.
We miss you…  
Love your “Apple”

Hello… is it me your looking for?…
Joe’s fav song

There are two great and memorable moments that I have about my dad that will always make me happy. 

One time he and my mom went out to a dance and the dance just so happened to be live on TV.  As my sister, brother and I were sitting in the living room with our aunt playing a board game, we looked up and saw them dancing on the TV!! It was, and still is the funniest thing to date to me. They were doing a sort of head nodding, hip shaking move with their arms in the air lol It is a dance move that I have had the pleasure of showing my kids and getting the same laughing reaction lol It is definitely the highlight of my memories, and I am thankful that I did not get "blessed" with their dancing skills lol

My most favorite memory though, is when my dad would sing "Tomorrow” to me. He would sing it to me at home as a little girl and then later in life on the phone to me. And now every time I hear that song it brings joy to my heart. Then he would end it with, "It's only a day away, Chachee."

My memories may be little when it comes to him, but they are definitely cherished, and I like to think that not only did I get my sense of humor from him, but also his beautiful thick head of hair! lol 

Dad, know that regardless of our little time together and the issues we had, I never stopped loving you and I will always hold your love for me in my heart. I love you


Rest in Peace Joe, you were a wild one.  Always good for a few laughs and enjoying a good joke.  We ran into each other several times through the years " corriendo el pedo !"   We chugged brews, told jokes, rehashed past trials, tribulations, and triumphs.   At our 10 year reunion we went outside and fired up some homegrown I got from my brother ( unknown to many is Tommy Chong ).   As we walked back in you said, " Man, that was some good stuff!"  You were soaring and being a lightweight I was 5 solar systems away.   I was going through my divorce and needed the laughs.  You were good for several.

To Cindy, Elsie, and the rest of the family and extended family:  My deepest condolences.   May God carry you through this difficult time.

OBITUARY

Joe M. Franco

September 15, 1951 – January 5, 2022

Sunset Northwest Funeral Home

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