JOANES, Francisco (Magnu)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, July 15, 2011 Francisco Joanes, 79, of Prescott, Ariz., born Jan. 6, 1932, in Kenya, passed away July 5, 2011, in Moscow, Russia. Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. with a 6 p.m. Rosary service July 21, 2011, at Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, 303 S. Cortez St. Services will be 9:30 a.m. July 22, 2011, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Fleury Road, Prescott. Graveside service will follow at the Arizona Pioneer Home Cemetery in Prescott. Arrangements by Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home. ~~~~~~~~~ The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, July 19, 2011 Francis ("Magnu") Joanes passed away unexpectedly on July 5, 2011, while on a cruise in Russia with his beloved wife, Hazilda. They were touring from St. Petersburg to Moscow to celebrate her 75th birthday and their 45th wedding anniversary. Francis was born in Nairobi, Kenya. He met and married the love of his life and soul mate, Hazilda, in April of 1966. They immigrated to the U.S. (Walnut Creek, Calif.) in 1977 in the hopes of providing a better life for their family. They lived in Walnut Creek until 2005 when they moved to Prescott, Ariz., to be closer to their two grandsons. An accountant by trade, he retired twice in Nairobi, first as a high-level auditor for the Kenyan government, then from a private British corporation. He returned to work in California to support his family, then retired once more. However, on moving to Prescott, he continued as a volunteer treasurer for the homeowner's association to which he belonged. Francis was a man of deep faith. Over the years, he was active in the church community in Prescott and Walnut Creek as a lector, member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, member of the Pastoral Council, choir member, RCIA member and Eucharistic minister to the sick. He was a man who gave generously of himself and everything he had, down to literally giving the shirt of his back multiple times. He "lived life large" and with passion, enjoying any reason to celebrate! Adults and children alike gravitated to him, his welcoming smile and big hugs. He was an ambassador of God's love and touched so many people - more so than we even know. Until they are all gathered together in heaven as a family, Francis leaves behind his beloved wife, Hazilda; daughter Louise; sons Marcellus and Tom, daughter-in-law Erin; and grandsons Matt and Noah, who will miss their "Shepai." He also leaves behind his sisters Nasci, Abi and Martha, who will miss their only brother. He also leaves behind many beloved nephews, nieces and other family members who will miss him dearly. The visitation and Rosary will be at Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home, 303 S. Cortez St., Prescott, on Thursday, July 21, 2011, at 5 p.m. for visitation and Rosary at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 a.m. July 22 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Fleury St., Prescott, and final commendation at Pioneer Home Cemetery. There will be a celebration of life to which all are invited following the burial at the parish hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Vincent de Paul, c/o Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Fleury, Prescott, AZ 86301. Please log onto ruffnerwakelin.com to sign Francis' guestbook and share a memory with the family. Information provided by survivors.