Francisco Peña

Francisco Peña, 97, a longtime resident of White Plains, NY, passed away at home in the company of his beloved family, on May 1, 2025.

Francisco, the first son of Francisco Peña Bayarri and Julia Novillas Iralde, was born in Peñiscola, Spain, a beautiful town by the Mediterranean Sea, on March 24, 1928. He worked as a fisherman in the family business where he developed a passion for the sea which eventually led him to service in the Spanish Navy and Merchant Marines until he emigrated to the United States in 1953 where he met the love of his life, Graciela Pérez.

A very well read and industrious young man, he developed a lifelong belief in the importance of education. He received a Master's degree from Fordham University and worked from 1962-1998 as a Spanish professor at Caldwell College in New Jersey. Throughout his career as a professor and through his volunteer work, he taught and mentored thousands of students, many of whom stayed in contact with him over the years.

Francisco was predeceased by his parents, Francisco and Julia; and younger brother, Andrés Peña. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 69 years, Graciela; his children, Francis Peña, Jr., Anthony Peña, and Julia Plaza; his grandchildren, Anthony Tyler Peña, Michael Tristan Peña, Stanley Francisco Plaza, and Graciela Helen Plaza; and his nieces in Spain, María de los Angeles Peña Carlos and María del Pilar Peña Carlos.