Francy personified the ideal educator

Bob Francy represented every quality one could want in an

educator.

For one, he loved kids -- definitely a must. He cared. He was

dependable, as was evident in the roles he played for the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District. He was influential. He was

generous ... and the list goes on.

Bob Francy was the heart and soul of Estancia High School and did

whatever he could to support the school district.

Before succumbing to cancer last week, Francy was the district’s

go-to man.

He started his Estancia career in 1966 -- the high school’s second

year. During his long stint there, Francy served as a head counselor,

assistant principal and principal, a position he held for about 14

years. He also taught at Costa Mesa and Corona del Mar high schools

before landing at Estancia and later taught at Newport Harbor High.

Francy would eventually serve the district as an assistant

superintendent before retiring in 1997. But he wasn’t done yet.

The district called again later that year when it needed an

interim superintendent to fill Mac Bernd’s seat. After that, in 1999,

Estancia summoned his expertise and he again came out of retirement,

this time to temporarily toss on the principal hat.

Francy was also a big fan of athletics. In 1999, he told the Pilot

his thoughts on sports.

“Sports can always teach you [life’s lessons], from leadership to

dedication, from discipline to camaraderie, and it teaches you

compassion for others. It teaches young people who will learn the

thrill of victory and a dignified way to deal with defeat, which is

all part of life.”

Bob Francy will be missed, not only for his legacy, but for the

heart that he invested -- and continued to invest -- in Estancia,

Newport-Mesa Unified and education in general. He leaves behind big

shoes that are next to impossible to fill.