I was a young enthusiastic cricket player when God introduced me to the Francis family.
The three brothers were fanatical cricketers and very talented musicians and the more I spent time in their company the more I was drawn to them although we almost always played against each other.
The rock of this wonderful family was Pastor Steve Francis.
He always called me Joe and made an immediate impression on me since the day I met him.
Uncle Steve, as he was affectionally known gave so much of himself to the game of cricket and to the community of Newcastle that I am convinced the club cricket would have crumbled and disappeared had it not been for his intervention and passion.
The man with the golden smile would always treat you like his own family and would do everything in his power to see others smile.
Uncle Steve was a very respective administrator, the fairest human being and probably the most loved and respected cricketer in the history of Newcastle.
But how was this possible?
Well, it’s easy to answer. He was God’s soldier and he lived by the values of a true Christian. I always joked with him and told him that he would undoubtedly get a double story home if he passed away and to this day, I still believe that.
To the Francis family, you can be so proud of the way Steve lived his life. You can be so proud of the example he set and for the way he touched people’s lives in so many ways.
I am just grateful that I had the opportunity to meet this wonderful man and that he showed me the way that a Christian should live and the example that one should set.
Uncle Steve, you will be missed but I will strive to follow in your footsteps and to live with the values that you taught me.
I am forever grateful to have met you!
Your Heavenly life has started so wait for us before you start the next cricket match because I would like to be on your team!!�
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