In Memory of Francis "Frank" Biddle
Francis “Frank” Biddle, 60, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Del Mar, California. Some would say he died too early; others would wonder how he made it so many years.
He was born on December 28, 1964 in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, to Joseph F. Biddle II and Ursula Harrison Biddle. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer (Terpstra); their sons Joseph and George; siblings Hunter (Jane), Doria, Jason (Don), Elisabeth (Kevin), Harry, and Molly; father Joseph and stepmother Kathleen. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ursula Harrison Biddle.
Frank enjoyed a free-spirited youth on his beloved Lake Raystown and Leopard Lake in Berwyn— boating, waterskiing, motorcycling, catching turtles and snakes, playing pond hockey, and any other sport that was in season. He completed his secondary education at the Westtown School in West Chester and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Juniata College in 1986.
Frank’s sense of adventure and gift for the Spanish language drew him to southern California where he discovered the floral industry and found his roots. He first joined a friend in launching Dos Gringos, a company focused on flowers from Mexico, and later left to establish his own business, Francis Biddle International, in 1993. FBI Flowers, as it is known, is a grower of fresh cut greens, florals, and avocados with over 170 acres of production in the hills of San Diego County. Always a pioneer, he co-founded Tradewinds Intl in 1995. His vision to shorten the supply chain revolutionized floral imports from Colombia and Ecuador, shaping the industry we know today.
Later, Frank was asked to leverage his talents to benefit the broader industry by serving on the Board of Directors of CalFlowers, eventually taking on the role of president. Frank was an expert advocate for all floral segments. He tapped into a natural propensity to mentor business associates, tackle major industry challenges, and continue his lifelong love of exploring and supporting the floral community.
To Frank, the floral industry was about people. He called his colleagues a “global tribe,” forged through decades of tradeshows, dusty farm visits, and spontaneous adventures—like a wild, ill-advised short cut through Colombian hillsides on a bus full of floral buyers, filled with questionable turns, breathtaking views and nervous laughter. Frank lived for these moments, from bullfighting in Colombia to climbing mountains in Ecuador, always with friends by his side. He wrote, “Flowers were the business, but friendships were the heart of it all.”
In the words of a dear colleague, “Frank was someone I deeply admired—not just for his vision and brilliance in business, but for the warmth, strength, and sincerity he brought to everything he did. His love for nature and his unwavering integrity made him truly special.” In the words of another, “It was a privilege and an inspiration to know Frank. He always seemed to put maximum effort and dedication into everything he participated in and was a great example to the others around him. I know that I, and others, are better people for having known him.”
His wife, Jennifer, whom he affectionately nicknamed “Badger”, and his son, George, will carry Frank’s legacy forward with Tradewinds and FBI Flowers, and the relationships he fostered throughout his life will endure. Let’s honor Frank by carrying forward his passion, his adventures, and his love this industry and for us all.
