ANGELO FRANCO JR.
ITHACA – Angelo Franco Jr. passed away Saturday, May 26, 2012 after a long trial with Parkinson’s. He was the oldest son of Angelo and Emily Franco and husband to Carol (Lenaeus) Franco. Angelo graduated from Syracuse University with a five year degree in Architecture and was drafted into the Army, where he served at Fort Belvoir. In 1965 Angelo came to Ithaca where he worked for Tallman Inc., which later became Fred Thomas Associates, and in 1989 he moved to Egner Architectural Associates, retiring in 2003. He met and married Carol shortly after his move to Ithaca, in 1966.
From his first experiences as a Boy Scout, Angelo had a deep love of the outdoors which he passed on to his two children; hiking, camping, and learning about nature were a big part of their childhood. Travel was another passion and camping across the United States when the children were younger turned to more extensive trips – Angelo and Carol explored China, Korea, South America, England, Europe and Scandinavia together. Angelo enjoyed photography (even developing his own film at one point), building model ships, trucks and airplanes, reading historical accounts and mysteries and he always kept a crossword puzzle book handy. He was a kind, gentle man who loved children and welcomed a good laugh.
Angelo is survived by his loving wife Carol, his son Gusten (Kate) Franco of Erie, CO, his daughter Emily Franco (Jase Baese) of Lansing, and grandchildren Megan, Lara, and Anna, as well as his six younger siblings; brothers Joseph (Mary) Franco, John (Susan) Franco, and Gerald (Rebecca) Franco and sisters Patricia (Carl) Houghton, Ann Franco, Kathryn Franco and many nieces and nephews. Angelo’s family would also like to thank his caregivers, Serena Sill and Tamasin Limber, who became like family during his illness, for their loving care of Angelo, as well as the very fine team at Hospicare who made his passing peaceful.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospicare, 172 E. King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.
Family will be present to receive friends from 4 -6 p.m., Thursday at Lansing Funeral Home, 32 Auburn Rd., Lansing. A Memorial Mass, officiated by Fr. Joe Marcoux, will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 302 St. Catherine’s Circle, Ithaca.