Frank Fonseca Riojas

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Frank Fonseca Riojas, 73, of Smiley, passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at Medical City Medical Center in Plano.

Funeral mass was under the direction of Buffington Funeral Home in Gonzales and was held on Saturday, June 16 at 10 a.m. at Saint Phillip Benizi Catholic Church in Smiley with Father Ouseph officiating. A rosary was recited at 9:30 a.m. before mass at the church. Interment followed at Burriola Cemetery in Smiley.

Frank was born on March 24, 1945 in Nixon. He was the son of Jose Angel and Cipriana (Fonseca) Riojas. Upon graduating from high school, Frank was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served active duty for two years and obtained the rank of SGT. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart. Upon his release from active duty, he served another four years in the US Army Reserves.

He married Madalena Perales on May 2, 1970 in Smiley at Saint Phillip Benizi Catholic Church. Frank liked to go fishing and working out. He played the guitar and was a deacon at Saint Phillip Benizi Catholic Church. He liked to play bingo as well as calling bingo games. He did volunteer work as a translator for the schools.

He was a member of the city council for two terms and also a member of the Social Concerns Committee. Frank was very involved in his church, serving as president of Saint Phillip Benizi Mens Club, serving on the parish advisory council, and the supervisors advisory committee, as well as serving as co-chairman of the ministerial alliance.

Frank is survived by his wife, Madalena Perales Riojas; son, Ray Riojas and his wife, Ruby of Nixon; daughter, Rita McGough and her husband, Matt of Flower Mound; brothers, Angelo Riojas, Jr. of Nixon, Pedro Riojas and his wife, “Mayor” Dorothy of Nixon; sister, Irene Rodriguez of Nixon; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose Angel and Cipriana Riojas, and one brother, Johnny Riojas.

Pallbearers were Peter Riojas, Jr., Samuel Riojas, Daniel Perales, Samuel Perales, Victor Perales, and Isaac Perales.

To join the family in celebrating Frank’s life and to offer words of comfort, go to www.buffingtonfuneralhomegonzales.com. The family request memorials be made to Saint Phillip Benizi Catholic Church in Smiley and Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Nixon in lieu of flowers.

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