Manuel Franco

Manuel Franco, 78, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family, on July 17, 2025, in Roswell, New Mexico. Please take a moment and share a kind thought or memory with the Franco family at www.andersonbethany.com. On Friday, July 25, 2025, a rosary and funeral Mass will be held at Assumption of the Blessed Mary Catholic Church, located at 2808 N. Kentucky Ave. in Roswell, New Mexico. The rosary will begin at 1:30 pm, followed by a funeral mass officiated by Father Mike at 2:00 pm. Immediately following the church services, interment will take place at South Park Cemetery. A reception will be held after the interment at Assumption Catholic Church reception hall. On September 21, 1946, Manuel Franco was born to Valente and Pime Franco in Faben, Texas. He grew up on the Oasis Ranch east of Roswell and attended school in Roswell. He then relocated to Southern California, where he worked and lived with his sister and brother-in-law. He eventually made his way back home to Roswell, where he met the love of his life in 1960 and married her on January 30, 1970. He worked as a foreman at Sunbeam Bakery until being hired on at NUMEX Electric, where he learned the trade of a journeyman electrician. After several years at NUMEX Electric, he went to work at Kenco Electric. In 1991, he started working with the City of Roswell as the Airport Electrician and was eventually promoted to Airport Superintendent. Manuel served the City of Roswell until his retirement in 2009. Even after retiring, being the hard worker that he was, he started working for the U.S. Postal Service, driving a mail truck from Roswell to the Southeast Corner of NM. On his Hobbs route, he had a favorite spot where he would stop on his lunch break to read a book or feed the ducks. Everyone who knew Manuel knew that when he wasn’t spending time with his family, he was out working side jobs, wiring houses and buildings. Manuel finally retired from full-time work and his side jobs in 2016. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed riding his 1987 Harley-Davidson Low Rider Limited Edition as well as giving rides to his children and grandchildren, who were thrilled to ride with him. He once drove one of his grandsons to pre-school on his Harley, thus giving his grandson’s mom a huge scare! He loved his family and especially enjoyed taking them on vacations to amusement and water parks across the U.S. He also enjoyed camping, hiking, and long rides in the country. He found joy in taking his grandchildren to see and sit in Elvis Presley’s jet parked at the Roswell Airport. He loved all his fur-babies and grand-fur-babies. Those left to eternally treasure and cherish memories of Manuel are his wife, Elia Franco, who resides at the family home; his five children, daughter Barbara Gluck and husband Jay Gluck of Roswell, daughter Valerie Cornejo and Cindy Burns of Roswell, daughter Teresa Peyton and husband Perry Peyton of California, son Manuel Franco II and wife Dawn Franco of Roswell, and son Carlos Valente Franco of Roswell. Thirteen grandchildren: Eli Cornejo and Mariah Cornejo, Carissa De Los Santos, Brandon Gamboa and Kimberly Peyton, Gaige (& Caroline) Franco, Rylin (& Elena) Franco, Kelsie (& Joshua) Garcia and Jacob Franco, Carlos Franco II and Anjel Franco, Ynvii, Carlii, and Addy Franco; and twelve great-grandchildren: Bruno Cornejo, Elianna De Los Santos, Donovan and Damian Palomino, Sofia and Zavier Gamboa, Maleah, Sage, and Jason Perry Peyton, Braylynn and Maddie Franco, and Raiden Franco. His brothers Sam (& Marylou) Franco of California, Jose Franco of Albuquerque, and sister Irene Andrade of Roswell, and numerous nieces and nephews. Manuel is preceded in death by his parents, Valente and Pime Franco; his son, Manuel Franco Jr.; his granddaughter, Stacey Peyton; his brothers, Flavio Franco and Santos Franco; and his sisters, Tomasa Saenz and Maria Lucero. Blessed to be chosen as pallbearers are Brandon Gamboa, Rylin Franco, Jacob Franco, Tommy Gomez, Bobby Franco, and Freddy Franco. Honorary pallbearers are Moises Rodriguez, Pete Carrasco, Eli Cornejo, Gaige Franco, Josh Garcia, Carlos Franco II, Anjel Franco, and all his great-grandsons. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Jamie, Laura, and Melba of Interim Healthcare of Roswell for the love and care they provided to our father and our family. Also, a special thanks to Savio Martinez with Anderson Bethany Funeral Home, whom the family entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Manuel’s tribute was lovingly written by his family.

Manuel Franco

September 21, 1946 - July 17, 2025