 He retired from broadcasting in 1979, after nearly 32 years active service.As secretary to the Floriana Civic Council, he had also been active in civic affairs and was the co-founder of the Confederation of Civic Councils of which he had also been elected Secretary and was the founder of “Midalja tal-Meritu” (The Medal of Merit) (1968) (that preceded the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika award) that for a number of years used to be awarded annually by the Confederation of Civic Councils.In 1957, Frans met his future wife Enoe (née Calleja) daughter of Maestro Abele Calleja.