June 25, 1928 – March 2, 2015

Francisco “Paco” Soldevilla passed on March 2 after a brief illness at the age of 86. He lived in Glendale for the last 29 years. He had just moved with his wife to Lake Oswego, Oregon to live with his son and his wife.

He was a Renaissance man and special in many ways as a husband, father, uncle, grandfather and friend. He was born in Portugalete, Spain on June 25, 1928 where he studied naval engineering and became the chief engineer on the merchant marine vessel Motomar. Paco first came to the USA through New York where he met his lovely wife Carmen Cuadra, to whom he was married for 59 years. They moved to California, and Paco eventually returned to school to pursue a degree in romance languages. He taught at UCLA while working on and receiving his PhD and was a scholar in the study of Don Quixote. He was a professor at Bradley University in Illinois, The Claremont Colleges in Pomona, and Franklin High School in Los Angeles.

He traveled extensively throughout the world as a mariner, and throughout Europe in later years with his family. His love of good food was legendary and, to many, his paella and flan were considered the gold standards.  Paco loved challenges whether they were mechanical or philosophical.  He is survived by his wife Carmen, sister Mari-Asun in France, daughter Maria Carmen, sons Francisco and John, daughter-in-law Jaymee, grandchildren Kirstin, Francisco, and Gracie, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Life! She is a River as the song goes. So very much love and condolences to all of you who were touched by his life. Paco is there … simply not here … and he is not suffering. He will be greatly missed.

Besos y abrazos y mucho cariño.

Crippen Mortuary Directors www.CrippenMortuary.com