Former Estancia principal Francy dies

Deirdre Newman

Robert Francy, a man who gave his heart and soul to Estancia High

School, passed away early Thursday morning.

Francy, who was principal of the school from 1978 to 1990 and interim principal between 1998 and 1999, died at the age of 66.

His daughter, Cara Todd, described her father as a generous and

kind person who was always thinking about other people.

“He helped so many people,” Todd said. “Over the years, some

people would come up to him and say, ‘You don’t remember me, but you

changed my life.’”

In addition to leading Estancia, Francy also worked for the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District as a counselor, assistant

superintendent and interim superintendent when Mac Bernd resigned in

1997. He also worked at all four of the district’s high schools.

Francy accepted his first teaching job at Costa Mesa High in 1960

and helped open Corona del Mar in 1962 as a part-time math teacher

and part-time counselor. He then moved to Estancia in the fall of

1966, the school’s second year of existence, to become head counselor

and, later, assistant principal.

Even after retirement, Francy -- an avid sports advocate who

preached its benefits for young people -- was a constant presence at

the Estancia’s athletic events, current principal Tom Antal said.

Antal said Francy treated the staff at Estancia like a family.

“Those who worked with him have told me many stories about how

deeply he loved this school, and how he cared for every individual

staff member, parent and student he encountered. In many ways Bob

touched and molded Estancia High School into the warm place it is

today,” Antal said in a press release.

Francy’s wife, Phyllis, said her husband loved kids and loved his

family.

Francy’s family is setting up a scholarship fund in his name. His

funeral is scheduled for Friday at noon at Saddleback Church in Lake

Forest.