If you knew Tim, you’ve no doubt got a smile on your face with a memory of a time your paths crossed. With a gentle kindness and fun-loving magnetism, he brought out the best in people. On October 21, 2020, we lost one of the good ones; one of the best. Tim was my husband. He was humble, as many never knew of the challenges he overcame in his life. His story is one of strength, courage, resilience and dignity, and it is my honor to share it with you.
Tim was born in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. His father, Orlando Francisco, was a family practice physician in the small, north-woods town. His mother, Beverley Francisco, was a registered nurse, staying home to raise three young children, born within three years, (which makes for some humorous stories, as told best by his mother). Growing up was spent riding 4-wheelers, snow skiing and waterskiing up and down the river in the summer. It was a carefree childhood until the beginning of 8th grade when Tim developed a sudden kidney disease, ultimately diagnosed as a nephrotic syndrome. Too sick to attend school, he missed almost the entire school year. However, just as his physicians had run out of options, Tim had a spontaneous recovery. Rather than let the setback deter him, he went on to compete in golf, wrestling, track and field and ski with the local water ski team; jumping, slalom and barefoot water skiing.
