Francisco Betancourt, age 78, passed away peacefully on April 27, 1015, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, GA, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Caroline, Puerto Rico, to Justina Medero and Julian Betancourt, on September 29, 1946. He grew up in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Ricco, and later immigrated to the Bronx, NY, with his father. Straight after high school, Francisco proudly served as a Boatswain’s Mate in the US Navy and USNR, earning the National Defense Service Medal and the Antarctica Service Medal. Upon his honorable discharge, he married Carmen, his high school sweetheart, who had waited for his return. Together for 32 years, they raised three children: Francisco, Gricelia, and Stephanie. They also welcomed many grandchildren, Krystal, Nicholas, Matthew, Feli, Christopher, Claire, Mark, and Jeffrey with Carmen.

A driven and intelligent man, Francisco worked diligently to become the first in his family to go to college. While working as a Clerk for the Swiss Bank, he earned a Bachelors in Business Administration from the Bronx Community College at night, and eventually an MSB in Finance, all while climbing the corporate ranks. His determination paid off and he went on to have a successful 25 year career with the Swiss Bank when a merger turned them into UBS. His career continued to thrive and he took on a position as VP of Global Product Support Services with Citibank. After years of success within the banking industry, his vocation came to an abrupt end. As the VP of Latin American Networking for the Bank of New York, he was at the World Trade Center when the terrorist attacks occurred on 9/11/01. The significance of the losses he suffered and their emotional impact had a significant effect on him, and after 33 years of hard work and dedication to the banks that occupy Wall Street, he decided it was time to retire and focus on more of the things that mattered to him. Francisco possessed a zest for life and a fondness for its pleasures. He enjoyed playing his guitar, spending time with friends, engaging in lively domino games, and his love of gardening with his famously green thumb.

Throughout his life, Francisco was deeply committed to humanitarian work, collaborating with numerous groups and missions. In his retirement, he actively volunteered with the Pennsylvania Lions Club and the Conference of the United Methodist Church in Georgia. While on a mission in Honduras for the church, he met and fell in love with Wendy Elizabeth Castro Aguirre. They married in Honduras on December 14, 2019, and together built a new life, which included Wendy’s children and grandchildren. Francisco was a generous and devoted man who poured his heart into the lives of those he loved. He was known for his love of life, intelligence, humor, charm, and caring nature. His life was fully, his family large, he forgave easily, and his capacity for love was immense.

He is survived by his siblings, Willermina, Judy and a multitude of half-siblings. He’s survived by his children Francisco, Gricelia, Stephanie, and their spouses, Debbie, Kevin and Jeffrey. He is survived by his grandchildren Krystal, Nicholas, Matthew, Feli, Christopher, Claire, Mark, Jeffrey, and his great grandchild violet. He is also survived by an enormous extended family, many friends, and the communities he built up on his various missions. Francisco nurtured all of his relationships like he did his own garden, by cultivating his love and light. Francisco will be deeply missed, but the legacy of memories, love, fun, and the kindness he left us with will flourish the hearts of those who loved him most.

We love you, Dad. Until we meet again.