A beloved Assembly of God pastor who spent decades preaching the gospel and serving the church has died in a tragic New York crash. Yet the congregation he shepherded for 33 years says death did not have the final word.
Rev. Frederick W. Francisco, 87, died Oct. 19 following a two-vehicle collision on State Route 19 in Wellsville, New York.
According to the Wellsville Sun, citing the New York State Police, Francisco was driving south in a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox when his vehicle crossed into the northbound lane and collided with a 1997 Mack truck. Francisco was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck’s 61-year-old driver was taken to Jones Memorial Hospital for a precautionary evaluation.
The Wellsville Sun reported that unconfirmed information from first responders indicated Francisco may have suffered a medical event before the collision. Authorities have not publicly confirmed that as the cause of the crash.
But while Francisco’s life ended suddenly, Riverside Assembly of God is remembering a man whose life had been poured out in faithful service to Christ.
The church announced that Francisco had “passed from this life into the waiting arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Before entering the ministry, Francisco served in the U.S. Navy and worked in his family’s dairy farming business. Then came the calling that would shape the rest of his life.
Francisco began his pastoral ministry at Dalton Assembly of God, then served Riverside Assembly of God in Wellsville for 33 years and retired in 2011. He also served the New York Ministry Network as Southern Tier Presbyter for 16 years and was named Honorary Presbyter in 2012, a role he held until his death.
“Fred’s life was marked by his love for the Lord, his dedication to ministry, and his faithful service to the churches and ministers he served throughout the years,” Riverside Assembly of God wrote.
The church added that Francisco’s “legacy of faith and commitment to God’s calling will continue to live on in the lives of those he touched.”
For his family, congregation and the countless people his ministry impacted, the grief is real. But so is the hope they believe awaits every follower of Jesus Christ.
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“While his passing leaves a great void, those who knew and loved him find comfort in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ, whom Fred faithfully served throughout his life,” the church wrote.
Perhaps that is why the Scripture chosen to commemorate Francisco’s life carries such weight.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,” reads 2 Timothy 4:7.
After decades of ministry, Francisco’s earthly course is finished. But the message his church is proclaiming is the same one he spent his life preaching: For those who belong to Christ, the grave is not the end.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about Abby at abbytrivett.com.
