It was the summer of 1969 and Mr. Francisco rented a pop-up trailer for a camping vacation. My dad, Ed Lucas never missed a chance to play a joke on someone. Late one evening he placed a sign on the front lawn by the fully popped up trailer GYSPY FORTUNE TELLER INSIDE. The sign resulted in a few call outs from passing cars. I know a sign was placed on our front lawn but I do not recall what it said, I think it was something about swim lessons since we recently got a backyard pool.
There was another summer vacation spent with the Cozzi family. Robert the youngest Cozzi had trouble during vacations and needed a little help from Ex lax. Mrs. Cozzi purchased a small package of the chocoloted variety. Mr. Francisco showed Robert how good the medicine tasted on the way to where ever the vacation spot was. It was not too long into the trip that there was a need to stop at every rest stop because the medication started to work.
There was a summer cookout at the duplex on Amsterdam Ave. in Roselle. The little hibachi had a small piece of a two by four holding up the cooking grates. We all know how well fire and wood go together. It was not too long before the two by four caught on fire. All Mr. Francisco could do was yell, "FIRE" and run around in a circle. Mark saved the day by getting the hose, turning on the water and putting out the two by four.
I also recall my dad saying that Mr. Francisco did not take turning 30 too well. He said something about Mr Francisco taking to his rocking chair and moaning that life was over.
The last time I saw Mr. Francisco as well as Mrs. Francisco was at my home in 2003. We had a bunch of friends at a combination event that included birthday, anniversary, house warming and no mortgage party. My mom had passed away in 2002 and we moved into the house we had purchased for her after she had her strokes in 1996. We gave Mr. and Mrs. Francisco the grand tour Mr. Francisco realized why he did not make more money in the repair of Zenith television sets. Sitting in the TV room was the television set my parents had purchased from him about twenty five years before. The television set died about six months later but who can say that they have a television set last for twenty five years?
I also recall the fall picnics at Hackelbarney State Park. The Francisco, Cozzi and Lucas families would set out early on a Saturday morning in September for the picnic. We would walk from the parking lot into the area where the picnic spots were. We always took the first spot just over the wooden bridge. We would set up the grill, cook the food then take the hike to the play area where the swings were. We then took the long way back by crossing the Black River by stepping on the stones and returning to our picnic site from the opposite direction. Mr Francisco was amazed by my mom Mary's potato salad with its secret ingredient, a hard boiled egg. I have not been back to Hackelbarney since then. I live maybe twenty five minutes from it but I have many happy memories of it.
I will always have a lasting memory of both Mr. and Mrs. Francisco on the videotape of my wedding. I got married in March 1988. The video of the reception shows the people on the dance floor. There are many shots of Mr. and Mrs. Francisco dancing. The song finishing and them leaving the dance floor only to have the next song start up and Mr. Francisco dragging Mrs. Francisco back onto the floor. I still wonder if they got to eat dinner that night.
I was greatly saddened by the news that Mr. Francisco had passed away. I have many happy memories of time spent together over the years. The memories make me smile and I hope that they will make the family smile a little too. It is very difficult to loose someone who is a big part of your life but it is the memories that remain and help us to carry on with life. Always remember that we will all see each other again, it may take a while but we will see each other again.
/from Andrea
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