Francisco Ricardo Somoza

Francisco Ricardo Somoza passed away peacefully from this life on March 29, 2022. The Bible says that to be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). He has now gained his citizenship in the kingdom of heaven. What great joy and peace it is knowing where you will be after this earthly life has been taken away to know that you can rest in eternity with our Father in heaven.

Francisco, who was also known as Frank, Francis to his brothers and sisters, and Richard to many others, was born on January 25, 1955 in Santa Ana, El Salvador. He migrated to the US when he was 18 years old, back in 1973. He traveled by bus, train, and some walking, because he was determined to make it to the US to create a better life for himself and to finally feel safe in his own home.

Frank began working in the autobody industry in El Salvador at the young age of 17 and brought his skills to the US, where he worked for many different autobody shops for well over 40 years. 

Besides working on cars, music was one of Frank’s main passions. He loved to play the guitar and piano. He used his musical gifts to honor The Lord by playing on the worship team in the different churches he attended throughout the years. He not only served on the worship team, but he also volunteered faithfully in different ministries.

Frank was a husband, a father, a brother, a friend, and to his grandkids, which were his greatest joy, he was known as Papa.

Frank met his wife Sandy back in 1974 at a mutual friend’s house where he would come and play his guitar and sing. For Sandy, this was love at first sight. The moment she heard him play and sing, she fell in love. They dated for 9 years before getting married on March 29, 1985. They were married for exactly 37 years, to the day, but have been together practically their entire lives. Almost 46 years! Throughout their marriage, they had two beautiful children, Diana and Sheena. Frank didn’t always know how to express his love for them through words, but he definitely expressed his love for them through his actions. Whether it was packing their lunch, fixing their cars, or waking them up for work, he truly cared for them.

When Frank’s 1st grandbaby, Mariah, came into this world in 2008, his life completely changed. Growing up, he was never taught how to be a father. He didn’t have a father figure in his life to show him how to love and show affection to others. This was a challenge for him, even when it came to his own children, but by the time his grandbaby was born, he truly became a natural. There was a sense of starting over that gave him the ability to do things differently the next time around. Mariah was his little baby, his Chiquita, also known as his Princesa. He would do anything and everything for her. He would take her to the park, the beach, the mall, Disneyland, Universal Studios, basically, anywhere she wanted to go. He would play with her, sing with her, take walks with her, and give her all the love his heart could possibly give.

Besides his family, Frank also loved his dog, Princess. No one ever saw him without her since she joined the family back in 2017. She became his new baby. He took her everywhere with him. You could always find them either at the park or going for a ride by the beach. Princess was everything to him.

Frank was the most giving and selfless person. He was one that would give you his last if he was aware of a need. Though he did not have much to give, he would give of his time and expertise in cars to anyone who needed a helping hand. He helped family members, friends, neighbors, and even strangers on the street. If he ever saw anyone having car trouble, he would stop and do whatever he could to help. He will forever be remembered for his giving heart. 

Frank was preceded in death by his mother Maria Lidia, his brother Oscar, his sister Ana, and his sister Lilian. He is survived by his wife Sandy, his daughters Diana and Sheena, his son-in-love Kofi, his beautiful grandchildren Mariah, Kaleo, Makhari, and Josiah, as well as his dog Princess. He is also survived by his brother Ernesto and his sisters Blanca Luz, Mary, and Noemi. Frank will forever be in all of our hearts.

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