Father Francisco Ayala, age 81, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2019 in Miami, Florida

Father Ayala also known as “Frankie”  was the baby of four children sired by Rafael Ayala-Rodriguez, born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico and Carmen Castro-Cupiano, born in Mayaguez Puerto Rico. He and his siblings were all born in Bronx, New York.  Ralph Joseph, Gloria Belen, and Ralph’s son Richard as well as his half-brother John Anthony from his father’s second marriage to Maria Luisa Porrata, and his niece Ariana all pre-deceased him.

Father Francisco is survived by his brother Robert Anthony and his wife Conchita from his father first marriage and his brother Jose Antonio from his  father’s second marriage.  He is also survived by 14 nieces and nephews, 22 great-nieces and nephews and, millions of people who loved him.

Although I was not a blood relative, we were cousins by choice…

While he was a Deacon, he married his niece Maria del Carmen to her husband Virgilio Cornetti  as well as for me, Leticia Clara Saindoux to my husband Alfred Edward Gaffney and christened our daughter Carrie Elizabeth Gaffney. After he became a Priest he Christened our Grandson, Daniel Peter Lawlor.

Frankie was born to be a Priest and to serve his church…  As a child I remember collecting cigarette ashes before Ash Wednesday, we would line up the kids in the neighborhood, and he would very solemnly place the sign of the cross on their forehead…  He loved to eat, he loved life and above all he loved his Lord…   

Following an injury he was told he could no longer pursue his religious vocation; but that did not stop him, like Don Quijote, he set out on a quest to follow his dream… He went from State to State trying so hard to reach the unreachable star, he was finally ordained as a Deacon!  Great but, it was not what he wanted, but it was a beginning!  After several years, someone told him to go to Honduras, he thought what do I have to lose.  So he packed his bags and off he went on his quest…  He knew that he was destined to be a Priest, and finally he was one.  Whenever his family needed him for a religious service he was always there.  He loved all of his family and they loved him back without any pre-condition.

We will never forget you Frankie and may God, and the rest of your family by blood as well as by choice that are surely in Heaven receive you with open arms…  Go to Valhalla, and we will see you on the other side.

Member of

Fraternidad Sacerdotes Santo Domingo

Knights of Columbus

Served 35 years in the Priesthood