Of Bay View passed to his next adventure on Sunday, October 20th. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he lived his entire 83 years.

Francis never wore a watch, but he sure cherished his time with us. And perhaps the saying he would be best known for is, "after me, you come first". He might want to reconsider that one. But he was a person with a big heart and a big presence.

Francis always loved to tell jokes and stories, and was very good at it - a skill he passed on to his younger son, Chris. Even after suffering a debilitating stroke seven years ago, he was still keen to tell a joke or story, even though it might take a bit longer to tell. Whether 'my name's not Bob' or a story of how his father pulled him out of bed in the middle of the night to drive to Churchill Downs in Louisville, he knew how to captivate and entertain you.

He was also someone that felt great comfort and love in the place he created and where he eventually passed - the 60-year old Bay View institution, Francisco's (for a time, Crabby's - but it really was and always will be Francisco's) restaurant. How many people will tell you this was the best pizza they have ever had in their lives.

For those of you who knew Francis, you knew how much he could give, but often in quiet ways. He was a charter member and active supporter of the Bay View Lions Club. But he also was there for family, as evidenced by the time in Las Vegas for a 70th birthday celebration when in the middle of seeing the play, 'Jersey Boys' he took a call from his mother who was then in a nursing home. Most of the audience, and perhaps the cast, knew this 70 year old man was taking a call from his mother.

Francis also combined his love of automobiles with his 'fondness for accumulating things'. From his 1975 Pontiac convertible, to his 1940 Buick and probably hundreds of other vehicles - including the multiple ambulances he was in the process of renovating - Francis loved automobiles. And even after his stroke he loved getting on a motorcycle, although then it was being driven by Chris. He loved going fast. And for many of us, he went a little too fast when cancer finally took him on October 20th - days before his 84th birthday and wedding anniversary.

Francis is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathy Bach and his children Tim (Jennifer), Wendy (Thad Klasinski) and Chris (Dawn). He is also survived by his first wife, Aloha and six grandchildren - Alyssa and Madison Daniels, Kamen and Isaac Klasinski and Hanna and Katie Daniels. Francis is the oldest of four children of Francis Daniels, Sr. and Mary Daniels. He is preceded in death by his son (Randy) and his parents Francis (Sr) and Mary.

Memorial visitation at the Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 29th, 4:00-6:00 PM. Memorial Service at 6:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Francis's name to the Wisconsin Lions Camp.