Frank?s daughter, Rose Arana Ramos, told Amandala that her father had been at a function at the home of Godsman Ellis in San Ignacio on Friday night, and it was after he returned home that he began to feel uncomfortable, eventually suffering a shortness of breath. He was taken to the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan, where a nurse examined him and informed his relatives that he was critical. About an hour and a half later, Frank passed away from a heart attack, complicated by a severe high blood pressure.

Frank had a history of heart disease and had undergone triple bypass surgery about 10 years ago. He had been using a pacemaker.

His daughter, Rose, said that her father ?fought a good fight? and ?was fiercely independent.?

Frank was a widower at the time of his death, having been predeceased by his wife, Narcisa Esther Arana, who departed in September of 2003.

Frank Arana was born in Punta Gorda Town on September 17, 1931. His surviving children are sons Earl; Nathan; Alex, Francis, Jr.; Michael Anthony; Andre Basil and John Milton Arana. His daughters are Rose Arana Ramos and Yvonne Arana Baltazar.

He is also survived by his brothers – Milton Arana and Ivan Lino; sister ? Andrea Arana, and sisters-in-law – Agnes Arana and Emiliana Arana.

Frank had been living between Belize and Los Angeles, California, and was scheduled to return to L.A. on May 30.

We quote from his 2001 publication, City of Angels: Impressions and Experiences of a Sojourner, page 1, from an essay that demonstrates Frank?s indefatigable spirit, which compelled him to focus on his life?s purpose through writing, even during his suffering:

?During the summer of 1995, while living in Los Angeles and convalescing from open heart surgery, I had several interesting experiences. It occurred to me at the time, that I ought to record these experiences as well as my impressions of life in L.A., but it remained an idea until quite recently?? he wrote.

In this second book, Arana again wrote of his wandering imagination even while afflicted with heart problems. He noted that it was in April, 1995, during his convalescence from triple bypass surgery, that he first conceived of the idea for the latter book, completed in 2002.

It is very likely that while he battled during those last moments at the Western Regional Hospital on Saturday, that he was conceiving of even greater things; or perhaps, he was simply taking another look down ?memory lane.?

May Frank Arana?s great works stand as an indestructible testament of his commitment to pass on his wealth of knowledge and experiences.

Amandala expresses its sincerest condolences to the loved ones of Frank Arana. We are forever grateful for the contributions he made to this establishment and to all our readers.