Peter Francisco

Peter M. “Pete” Francisco, Age 56, Of Battle Creek, Went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 18, 2014, at his home. Peter was born on November 26, 1957, in Battle Creek, the son of Robert and Irmgard (Jung) Francisco. He had been a lifelong resident of the area graduating from Lakeview High School in 1975, where he played football and wrestled. He worked at Crooks Plumbing and Heating from 1975 until 1991 and then at Hunter- Prell Company from 1991 until 2011, due to his illness. Several of his last years he worked at the Kellogg Headquarters for Hunter-Prell. In Bronson, Michigan on April 8, 1978, he was united in marriage to the former Joanette Bercaw who survives. Pete was a Master Pipefitter and received an Outstanding carpenter award from the Calhoun Area Career Center. He was also a member of the Pipefitters Local 333. Pete was very involved with his sons, Chad and Jason, coaching soccer, floor hockey, baseball and football while they were growing up. He returned to assistant coaching middle school football when his nephew Kenneth played and then to varsity level this past season. Pete was very proud of the St. Philip 8-man football team making the state playoffs. Pete belonged to St. Philip and St. Joseph Catholic Churches, Westlake Planning Council and the Lakeshore Channel Association. He was a previous member of the St. Philip Catholic Central school board, St. Jerome bingo president and St. Joseph Dad’s club and softball team. He enjoyed garage sales, sports, fishing, boating, watching his grandkids activities and going to South Haven. Surviving are his sons, Chad (Channan) and Jason (Kelly) Francisco; grandchildren, McKenzee, Caleb and Collins, father and step-mother, Robert and Alice Francisco; Sister, Maria (Ken) Champagne; a nephew who was like a son to him, Kenneth; a godmother, Aunt Harriet Bronson and an Aunt Stella Hensley. He was preceded in death by his mother, Irmgard Francisco and a father and mother-in-law, Leland and Alice Bercaw. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 22, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with The Very Rev. Mark J. Vyverman and The Rev. John Fleckenstein officiating. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Pete Francisco Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. Philip in c/o Jason Francisco. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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