Ralph Franco
January 3, 2011
Ralph L. Franco, 83, of 6498 Ridgway-Johnsonburg Rd., Johnsonburg, died Friday afternoon, Dec. 31, 2010 at Elk Haven Nursing Home in St. Marys following a lengthy illness.
He was born April 23, 1927 in Johnsonburg, the son of Batiste and Frances Serianni Franco.
On Sept. 16, 1950 in Holy Rosary Church, he married Rose M. Ferragine, who survives. The couple had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 16, 2010.
He resided in the Johnsonburg community all his life and graduated from Johnsonburg High School in 1944. He was a member of the Holy Rosary Church, VFW, and Johnsonburg Senior Center. He delivered Meals on Wheels and was an avid woodworker. He was a beloved husband, devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He had also played semi-pro football for the Johnsonburg Shamrocks. He was a WWII Navy veteran, having served as a Coxswain at the U.S. Navy Supply Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was employed by New York & Pennsylvania & Co. and then PennTech Papers in Johnsonburg for 42 years before retiring in 1989.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters, Eloise Kline and Paul Klink of Johnsonburg, Gail, Mrs. Thomas Launer of Johnsonburg, Kathleen, Mrs. Tony Durian of Johnsonburg and Karen, Mrs. Patrick Mahoney of Lehman; nine grandchildren, Michael Klink and his wife Julie, Dan Klink and his wife Amanda, Robert and James Launer, Steven and Jason Durian, and Christina, Michele and Rachel Mahoney; three great-grandchildren, Austin, Nathan and Brayden Klink; a brother, Batiste "Kack" Franco and his wife Stephanie "Steffie" of Johnsonburg; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by his stepmother, Caroline Servidea Franco.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Ralph. L. Franco will be conducted at Holy Rosary Church on Tuesday at 10 a.m., with the Rev. David J. Wilson, pastor, officiating. Interment will take place in Holy Rosary Cemetery in Johnsonburg.
Friends will be received at the Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home, 401 Chestnut St., Johnsonburg, on Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
Military honors will be accorded by the Johnsonburg-Wilcox Servicemen's Detail. Detail members are asked to assemble at the funeral home Tuesday morning at 9:15 a.m.