Francisco Milan

Francisco (Kokie/Papa) Milan’s Obituary Draft

Francisco Milan was born February 28, 1942 in Texas to Balente and Guadalupe Milan.

One of 18 siblings, his family were migrant field workers. Their family used to travel from Texas to Colorado during the harvest season. Frank’s family ultimately settled in Ft. Lupton, CO. As a child Frank brought home a box of baby chickens, he raised and nursed them to have other chickens and eggs for his family. Frank began to express his interest in the church and began attending services with a neighbor. Frank left home as a teenager and moved in with his sister Nancy. He started working as a valet and doorman at Lafitte’s’ Restaurant in the Hilton Hotel in downtown Denver. His supervisor John Smith introduced him to Abby’s mother-in-law Ella affectionately known as “Big Mama.” Big Mama then introduced Frank to the love of his life Abyssinia a.k.a “Honey.” It was love at first sight and the rest is history. They had their first date at the Rainbow Café where he recalls his favorite musician Jackie Wilson was playing. Frank jokes that Abby proposed to him, and he accepted. In summer of 1958 they decided to tie the knot during a small private ceremony in Castle Rock, Colorado. Frank and Abby remained happily married for 60 years. 

Frank loved music and he learned to play the saxophone during his time in high school. He went on to form his own band and was also recruited to by a local African American band in Denver.

His favorite music genre was Jazz and Lonely Teardrops by musician Jackie Wilson was his favorite song.  

Frank worked in several professions during his lifetime. He worked as a paralegal for the Legal Aid Council where he went on to become a licensed private investigator and opened his own business AAA Investigation. Frank was also a licensed barber and entrepreneur at heart thanks to the encouragement of his mother. Frank’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to open a small appliance/furniture store, limousine service, liquor store and barber shop.

He ultimately found his passion for cooking food and opened his first restaurant El Commodore which he gifted to his parents. He went on to open his second restaurant in the warehouse district of Denver/Parkhill on Monaco and Smith Road which is known as the historic Burrito Revolution. In addition, he owned several food trucks which received lots of attention since they were painted bright pink with large sombreros on top. He successfully ran the business for over 40 years until he and Abby reached retirement age. A man with a strong work ethic, he continued to work in retirement by selling his delicious burritos to local hospitals. He would travel back and forth to Texas to visit his grandchildren, he enjoyed listening to Jazz, talking politics, and listening to church messages on his electronic bible. Frank transitioned on August 23,2023. 

Preceding him in death are his beautiful wife Abyssinia also known as his “Honey". His Mother and Father and deceased siblings John, Angel, Balente, Nancy and Lily. Those left to cherish his memory are his two sons Curtis Mallory and Kevin Milan, Sr., 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, his sisters Mary, Rosie Dolores, Judy, Liz, Mary Ann, Christine, Patricia, Linda, Sally, Debbie, his youngest brother Jimmy, nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.