FRANCO, MICHAEL JESS Michael Jess Franco , 60, loving husband, father, grand-father, brother and uncle, native Californian and 38 year resident of San Diego, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2009, at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. After being diagnosed with leukemia and undergoing a Stem Cell Transplant at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in August of 2008, the disease returned earlier this year, despite the best medical care available and his valiant, courageous fight. Michael was born on June 27, 1948, in French Camp, California. He attended school in Stockton, California and graduated from Franklin High School in 1966. He played clarinet and was active in marching, concert and jazz bands throughout his education. He had a life-long love of music and enjoyed jazz and blues in particular. He received an Associate of Arts in Business from San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton. He graduated from National University in San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in Business in 1978. He married the love of his life, Sandra Lee McWain, on June 14, 1969, in Stockton. They would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this June. Sandra was a Flight Attendant for United Airlines for 35 years, retired in 2003 and now has a Web and Graphic Design business. Michael spent four proud years in the service of his country in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1973. He was stationed at Miramar Naval Air Station and was an Airframes and Hydraulics Mechanic, working on Phantom F4 jets. He served onboard the U.S.S. Enterprise for one tour from 1971 to 1972. After leaving the Navy, Michael went to work for Hawthorne Machinery, a Caterpillar dealership, as Warehouse Supervisor. He later worked for various other companies associated with earth moving equipment and construction in San Diego County. He was working for Clairemont Equipment, a Komatsu dealership, as the Inventory Control Manager at the time of his death. He was known throughout the industry for his honesty and ethics. Michael loved prowling garage sales on weekends looking for furniture to refinish. He would spend hours ensuring the finish was "just right." He was known around the neighborhood as "Mr. Fixit." He also wrote wonderful poetry and wrote several poems dedicated to the wonderful nurses and doctors who took care of him in Seattle. He was active in the Neighborhood Watch program and followed local and national events closely. He taught many of the neighborhood children to swim. Michael is survived by his wife, Sandra of San Diego, his children Paul Jonathan Franco of Borrego Springs, married to Adrienne Franco, and Tiffany Ann Franco-Rees of San Diego, married to Jacob Isaac Rees, his beloved grandchildren Samantha Alexandria Bullo of San Diego, Tristan Michael Rees of San Diego, Emily Madison Estrella of Borrego Springs, Nickolas Payton Franco of Borrego Springs, his brother Joseph Franco of Stockton, married to Barbara, his nephews Joseph Franco, II of Stockton, Jason Franco of Dublin, Jonathan Franco of Stockton, Steven Rodriguez, LCDR, USN, currently of Afghanistan, and Anthony Rodriguez of Sumner, Washington, and his niece Melissa Franco of Stockton. He was predeceased by his parents Jennie Teresa Franco from Lathrop and Eleuterio (Tello) Lopez Franco, Sr., from Guadalajara, Mexico, his sister Rose Marie Franco, his brother Eleuterio (Junior) Lopez Franco, Jr., both from Stockton and his beloved cat, Oreo. Services and Interment will be at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on Thursday, May 28, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a "Celebration of Life" from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at the Thursday Club, 1224 Santa Barbara Avenue, Point Loma, CA 92107. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Contributions J5-200, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, Washington 98109-1024 or online at: http://www.fhcrc.org/donating/ donate_now.html. The family wishes to thank all the family, friends and co-workers who have supported Michael during this difficult time with their prayers and good wishes, as well as all the talented, caring doctors and nurses, both in Seattle and San Diego, who fought the good fight with Michael. He will be missed by many and remembered by all whose lives he touched. .Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on May 24, 2009