Froilan Gabriel Portugal

Froilan “Frank” Gabriel Portugal, 83, of Pompano Beach, Florida, passed away surrounded by the love of a family he spent a lifetime building. Born in Bolivia, Frank made Pompano Beach his home and his own, living with the kind of quiet confidence and unashamed pride that made everyone around him stand a little taller.

Frank spent his career in the food service industry as a cook and chef — a man who knew how to feed people, in every sense of the word. But his truest joy was found at home: tackling a new project, improving something with his own two hands, or settling in at the end of the day with a cold one, well earned.

He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 50 years, Candelaria Portugal; his children Robert and Erika Portugal, Frankie and Katya Portugal, Candy and Patrick LaPrade, and Anthony and Bridgette Portugal; and his six grandchildren, Ian, Leo, Maiah, Andrew, Maggie, and PJ — a family that was, without question, his greatest work.

Frank was hard-working, fun-loving, and fiercely family-oriented. He never shied away from being the life of the party, lived without apology, and gave without hesitation. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.