Richard Joseph Francia

Born April 15, 1947, passed away from a long battle with Alzheimer’s surrounded by his family in his Santa Cruz, CA home on August 14, 2026. Proceeded in death by his parents, Theresa and Joseph Francia, he is survived by his sister Diane McGee (Mike) and family, his brother Anthony Francia (Kenny) and family, his wife Maria Francia, stepson Jason (Rachel) and grandkids Aaliana and JJ, stepdaughter Lina (Fidel) and grandkids Alexis, Aliyah and Aiden, his son James Francia (Jaime), his daughter Elizabeth Wilson (Thomas) and two grandsons; Kort Rocco and Kallen Garrett.

Rick was born and raised in San Jose, CA where he attended Catholic school. After that, he went to college at Cal State Hayward where he met his first wife Susan in 1968. They were married in 1971 and then moved to Bend, OR where Elizabeth May was born in 1975 and later to Portland, OR where James Joseph was born in 1978. Susan and Rick divorced in 1982.

Later in the 1980’s he married his second wife Pam in a small ceremony in Reno. NV. They lived in a home in Carmichael, CA with her two teenage daughters. A time down the road, they also divorced.

Rick moved for jobs many times. He lived in Colorado Springs, CO; Reno, NV; Carmichael, CA; Sacramento, CA; Fremont, CA and finally Santa Cruz, CA.

He ultimately got a job with JC Paper in Fremont, CA as a Credit Manager that he would successfully retire from. During this time, he met his third wife Maria, and they were married in 2011. They lived in Fremont, CA then Santa Cruz, CA until the time of his passing.

Throughout his life he was an avid golfer and loved to share the sport with his family. He fulfilled his lifetime dream of playing at Pebble Beach golf course with his dad, and two best golfing buddies; Gary Huffman and Bob Wheeler. He enjoyed teaching his grandson Kallen how to putt and was always up for a round or two at Top Golf when he came to visit. If he wasn’t playing it, he was watching it.

He was able to take care of his parents in their home with the help of Maria and niece Amanda Francia, until they passed away, and wanted the same for himself. With the commitment of his wife Maria and the help of her family, that wish was able to be fulfilled.

As his Alzheimer’s progressed over the years, we all slowly saw him fade away. The disease truly is “The Long Goodbye”. He will wholeheartedly be missed by all, but his smile and his spirit will live on in our memories and by sharing the stories that we have of him.

A service will be held on Saturday September 19, 2026, at 11:00am

Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel

1050 Cayuga Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062