Deacon Francisco Alicea, 83, born in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico to the late Venancio Alicea and the late Emilia Reyes, of Marlborough and formerly of Waltham,  passed away quietly at his home surrounded by his loving wife, children, grand- and great-grandchildren.

Frank, or Paco as he was known by his family and close friends, is survived by his wife of 63 years Fabiana Alicea (Rodriguez) and his sevenchildren Anna Garcia of Tampa, FL; Carmen Christmas of Tewksbury, MA; Francisca Smith, Francisco Alicea, Jr. and  Margarita Alicea of Marlborough, MA; Reynaldo Alicea of Holbrook, MA; and Gladys McNamee of South Easton, MA.  He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. He leaves numerous family members in his beloved island of Puerto Rico and abroad.

Frank migrated from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts in 1957 seeking better employment opportunities for himself and a better way of life for his family.  He began working as a migrant worker at several local farms and as a landscaper; he also did custodial work for Brandeis University's Facilities management department for 25 years. No stranger to hard work, Frank loved working in his flower garden and spent countless hours pruning and taking care of his plants. He was especially proud of his vegetable garden of which the fruits of his labor would be enjoyed and savored by family, friends, and neighbors alike.

He retired from St. Mary's Church in Waltham in 2006 after having served as Deacon for 24 years; he then served as Senior/Retired Deacon at Immaculate Conception Parish in Marlborough assisting the Hispanic Community until his illness prevented him from doing so about one year ago. For more than 30 years he has been involved in the spiritual growth of many and had been instrumental in cultivating and running the Religious Education programs for Adults for the Hispanic communities. He will be greatly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham, on Thursday July 31 at 10:30 a.m.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 250 High Street, Waltham. Calling hours for Deacon Alicea will be Wednesday July 30 at Immaculate Conception Church, Prospect Street, Marlborough from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the best way to honor his memory would be to make a donation to: The Catholic Appeal, https://41399.thankyou4caring.org/2014CAdonation .

When making an online donation please mention  St. Mary's  Church, Waltham or  Immaculate Conception Church, Marlborough. In the Comments sections please add "In Loving Memory of Deacon Francisco Alicea".  Please contact Jacqui Miller jmiller@rcab.org or James Willson james_willson@rcab.org if you require additional assistance. Thank you and God Bless!

El Díacono Francisco Alicea, (Don "Paco"), de 83 años de edad, fallecío déspues de una enfermedad de corazón el 25 de Julio de 2014 alrededor de su querida esposa y hijos.

Don Paco nacío en Puerto Rico el dia 20 de marzo del 1931, sus padres fueron Venancio Alicea y Emilia Reyes de Cerro Gordo, San Lorenzo. Deja a su esposa Fabiana de 63 años, siete hijos: Anna Garcia (Tampa, FL) Carmen Christmas (Tewksbury, MA) Francisca Smith, Francisco Alicea, Jr. y Margarita Alicea (Marlborough); Reynaldo Alicea (Holbrook) y Gladys McNamee (South Easton); 15 nietos y 27 vis-nietos; y numerosos familiares locales y en Puerto Rico.

Paco vino a este pa í s en 1957, hubicandose en la ciudad de Waltham. Siendo una de las primeras familias hispanas migratorias en busca de un mejor porvenir para su familia. En esos años trabajó como jardinero en las fincas de Waltham hasta que se retiro del departamento de mantenimiento en Brandeis University por 25 años. En 1999 deseo un cambio de vista y se mudo de Waltham a su nueva residencia en Marlborough, Massachusetts. Se mantuvo j ó ven todos estos años trabajando y atendiendo a su jard í n de flores, á rboles y matas que sembr aba en su jard í n y pequeña finca de vegetales. Siempre se sintío muy orgulloso de su cosecha – un labor de amor cuales disfrutía repartiendo su cosecha con su familia, amigos y vecinos.

Don Paco se retiró como Diacono de la Iglesia de Santa Maria en Waltham despúes de haber servido por 24 años; luego sigio su ministerio como Díacono Retirado en la Iglesia de la Imaculada Concepcíon en Marlborough ayudando a la Comunidad Hispana hasta que su enfermedad le impedío hacen 2 años. Por más de 30 años estuvo involucrado en el crecimiento espiritual de tantas personas, cultivando y dirigiendo los programas de educac í on religiosa para niños y adultos en las comunidad Hispana. Lo vamos hechar muy de menos.

Una Misa de Entierro Cristiano se celebrará en la Iglesia Saint Mary's, 133 School Street, Waltham, Massachusetts, el 31 de julio a las 10:30 de la mañana. El entierro será en Calvary Cementery (del Arquidiocese de Boston), 250 High Street, Waltham. Su velorio se llevará acabo el m í ercoles, 30 de Julio, en la Iglesia Immaculate Conception, Prospect Street, Marlborough empezando a las 5:00 de la tarde hasta las 9:00 de la noche.

En vez de flores, se le pide en el amor de la memoria de Don Paco por medio de una donación a: The Catholic Appeal, https://41399.thankyou4caring.org/2014CAdonation . Cuando haga su donación por internet, favor de indicar la Iglesia Saint Mary Waltham o la Iglesia Immaculate Conception Marlborough. En la sección de Comentarios favor de añadir en recuerdo amoroso "Deacon Francisco Alicea". Gracias y que Dios los Bendiga.