Francisco De La Paz

Francisco De La Paz was born in Waukesha, WI and at a young age moved with his family to the Bronx in New York, settling in the Hunts Point neighborhood. Francisco competed in basketball and track in junior high but bounced around between five different high schools, competing in football, the Academic Olympics, debate and chess club.

Francisco picked up the vocations of jewelry making and electronic and computer repair before dropping out of school and obtaining his GED. Francisco then joined the Job Corp where he learned building facia restoration, repair, and cleaning. Francisco then took a job as a shipping and receiving clerk and worked his way to become the mail order manager of Books of Wonder/Ozma Inc in NYC.

Francisco joined the US Army in 1988, where he served as a Combat Engineer, Sapper Scout, Administrative Clerk and Supply and Construction Sergeant. He also did some work with an Airborne LRRP unit. He served in combat during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and had deployments in northern Africa. After being medically discharged from the Army, Francisco worked as an Advisor and Consultant for Private Security Firms.

Francisco is the father of four and grandfather of three; has coached numerous youth sports teams in basketball, baseball, softball, and football; and is currently married to his childhood love, who is an Air Force veteran.

Francisco also loves apple pie à la mode, with sprinkles, if he can get them.