Bismarck S. Franco's Obituary
Bismarck S. Franco was promoted to his heavenly dwelling on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the age of 89 years old. He passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home surrounded by his wife of sixty-five years, his children, and his family.Bismarck was born on February 16, 1928 to Ana Goussen and Isidro Franco in Diria, Nicaragua. In 1949 Bismarck met the love of his life, a young girl nine years his junior, Mirna Castillo Medal. The two married on March 17, 1951.On January 7, 1952 their daughter and first child, Reyna Virginia, was born. Their first son, Bismarck Jr., was born a year later in 1953. In 1954 their second daughter Nina, in 1957 their daughter Mary, and in 1959 their youngest son Carlos. They had a total of six children, one of whom died at birth.As a loving Husband and Father, Bismarck worked tirelessly to provide the necessities for his family to grow up in a loving and healthy environment. He was intelligent and clever. Despite his limited education, he had a natural ability when it came to working with his hands. He was a self-taught barber by trade and soon after marrying Mirna, established two hairdressing businesses. Bismarck never limited himself and always found ways to provide for his family even if it was outside of his trade.Bismarck was a charitable man and never missed an opportunity to help others. On one occasion, he met a young boy who was working at a construction site next to his barbershop. He had observed that the boy worked tirelessly, handling the tasks that nobody else wanted to do. Bismarck new that this job would not provide the boy with the viable future he deserved and saw this as an opportunity to help him. He asked the young boy if he would like to become a Barber. The boy agreed and Bismarck took him under his wing and mentored him. The young boy, with Bismarck’s help, went on to become successful Barber.In 1959, Bismarck left Nicaragua and settled in San Francisco, California in pursuit of the “American Dream.” His wife Mirna followed him nine months later, leaving their five children behind. One year later, in 1960, Bismarck and Mirna were joined by their five children.A great Aunt, Juliana Pineda, always said, “Bismarck is a working man. He will go far in this land of great opportunity.” Her prophetic affirmation was proven true.Bismarck came to this country with very little yet he succeeded as an entrepreneur. He dedicated himself to working and investing in various projects, one of which was sending his wife to Marinelo Beauty College. She would eventually go on to establish two beauty salons in the Bay Area. Bismarck later purchased a bar on 22nd and Mission in San Francisco, which he later converted, to a disco/ dance club. To this day the “Transfer Club” is still in existence. Years later he purchased a photography lab in Walnut Creek, California which he named BMF One Hour Photo where he employed members of his family. He purchased a second photography lab in Concord, California soon afterward.Of all the good that was accomplished by Bismarck in this great country, the most valuable was his acceptance of Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. On October 14, 1982 Bismarck and Mirna received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, an event that radically changed their lives. They lived with the conviction that God, in his great mercy and love, forgives all of our sins and through our beloved Jesus, there is a secure place in his eternal mansion!Bismarck’s legacy will live on through his beloved wife Mirna, his five children, eleven grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren.
What’s your fondest memory of Bismarck?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bismarck?
Share a story where Bismarck's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bismarck you’ll never forget.
How did Bismarck make you smile?