Colbee Francisco

How do you write an ordinary obituary about an extraordinary man.  On October 12, 2018 the world as we all knew it became a little more quiet and a lot less bright when our beloved husband, dad, son, grandson, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend, Colbee Francisco, took his last breath after experiencing a sudden unexpected cardiac arrest the day before.  The fact that it was his birthday only made the loss that much more tragic.  A day meant to celebrate him being born 38 years ago had instead become a vigil for family and friends, ending in the ultimate loss for everyone.  For anyone visiting him and seeing him in his hospital bed, there was something more out of place than just the tubes and machines; it was that he was completely still.  Everyone who knows him knows this is in stark contrast to how he was in life.  His booming voice and exuberant personality left people simultaneously shaking their head and laughing hysterically as he tore through life with a heart as big as his mouth.  He loved fiercely those who were lucky enough to be along for the ride, and rarely was anyone anything but a friend, and if they weren’t one when they first met him they quickly became one.  He never expected anything less.  He was lucky enough to find in his wife, Tara, someone who let him be him completely but also tough enough to keep him in line when his excessive enthusiasm may have otherwise caused him some trouble.  She also gave him the awesome blessing in helping her raise her two children, Atleigh and Tyce, and I’m sure they would agree that they were just as lucky to have him as he was to have them.  I imagine it was hard for Colbee to leave his loved ones behind, but in true Colbee fashion I imagine him kicking open the gates of Heaven, holding a microphone, and shouting, “Let’s get this party started!”

A Celebration of Colbee’s Life will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home.  Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.  Honorary pallbearers will be Myron Lesley, Jr., Miah Farrell, Jeff Casey, Lee Follis, Terrell Shepherd, Josh Thumm, Aaron Harvey, T.J. Stokes, Andy Lauer, Dan Biba, Vance Totten, Shane Stiles, Dalton Sarver, and April Young.

Colbee is survived by his loving wife, Tara and their children, Atleigh and Tyce; his mother, Cheri Francisco, and her fiancé` Jerry Gordon; his brother, Christopher, and his wife, Kori and his two nieces, Averi and Hayden; and grandparents, Sharon Rossom and Ron Blake; his mother-in-law, Shari White; his father-in-law, Tom (Danna) Stillwell and sisters-in-law, Kaci and Desirae Stillwell.  He also leaves uncles, aunts and cousins, along with Jenny (David) Pagano, and Taylor, Cameron, and Valerie Gordon;  He also leaves his three furry babies, Nala, Kai, and Taz.  He was preceded in death by his father, Ronald Francisco; beloved niece, Chloe Grace; his brother, Collin Michael; and his grandfathers, Robert Francisco and Fred Rossom.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Francisco family.