It is always hard for me to write about passings, it is especially hard to write about a friend passing away, because of that it has taken me a few days to write this one:
Carlson Gracie Black Belt Franco de Camargo passsed away this past Monday September 15th. Franco maintained an Academy in Orange County and was beloved by his students while still found time to write articles for Ultimate Grappling Magazine. Franco and I met several years ago when we were both Blue belts taking classes from Rickson Gracie at the Laguna Niguel Tennis Club. We would spend practically every Tuesday together learning from the master, fostering our friendship and training BJJ.
Franco went on to become close to Grandmaster Carlson and opened his Academy in Orange and throughout the years we would see each other at tournaments or during his visits to San Diego to train at Rodrigo Medeiros PB Fight Center. Franco always had a bright smile adn a good word to his friends and students. He was a student of the art and a good friend who will be missed by his students and friends, especially this one.
The only consolation is the thought that now Franco is close to his Master Carlson and training with all the greats!
