NEA/DL Capt. Vincent N. Franco

Obituary....................................................
Franco, Vincent N.
Vincent N. Franco, 87, of Southport, CT, and formerly Plymouth, MA and Westport, CT, died at home surrounded by family on May 25, 2015. He was born December 21, 1927 in New York City, son of Vito and Carmella Franco. He is survived by his daughters, Jeanmarie Klitzner and her partner Robert Pyne of Vienna, VA and Elaine Williamson and her husband Daniel Williamson; his granddaughters Sydney Klitzner and Jennifer Heatly; great-grandchildren Landon, Pace, and Campbell; and his brother Joseph Franco and sister Eva Giambolvo. The son of immigrant parents from Italy, Vinny grew up in New York City during the Great Depression; those early years instilled a strong work ethic that would remain key to his character throughout his life. Working his way through high school, he wanted to pursue an education and become a university professor. Accepted into Columbia University, he attended classes there but left the university to enlist in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the 437th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Otis Air Force Base where he flew the F-94C Starfire under the command of Chappie James. Returning back home on leave in 1952, he married his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life Mary Coulter. The next few years saw him stationed at different bases across the United States and Japan as he and Mary welcomed their children into the world: Robert was born in NYC; Jeanmarie was born in Pocasset, MA; and Elaine was born in Westport, CT. Honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1956, he flew for Capitol Airlines (United Airlines), and then moved on to Northeast Airline, which later became part of Delta Air Lines. Delta could not have been better suited to Vinny, a company that embraced its employees as valued family members and, in turn, elicited the ultimate of loyalty. Finally settling in Westport, CT in 1959, Vinny and Mary raised their family amongst their large extended Italian family, most settled in the immediate area. In 1974, after Delta closed its NY base, Vinny transferred to the Boston base and he and Mary moved from Westport to Plymouth, MA. Vinny remained with Delta until the company's mandatory age of retirement. And with similar dedication and devotion, upon retirement, he pursued the game of golf with energy and tireless enthusiasm. Vinny moved to Southport, CT in 2008 where he lived the remainder of his life surrounded by family. His work ethic, love of family, and loyalty imbued his life. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. All are invited to join the celebration of his life at Assumption Church in Westport, CT on Saturday, June 6th at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Vinny's memory be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Alzheimer's Foundation of America.
  .Religious Service Information :
Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Ave., Westport, CT 6880
 .Published in Westport News from June 3 to June 5, 2015
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/westport-news/obituary.aspx?n=Vincent-Franco&pid=175001204#sthash.cs2hZjPw.dpuf

~ IN MEMORY ~

NEA/DL Capt. Vinny Franco

December  1927 ~ May 25, 2015

Word from family has been received with news of the passing of retired NEA/DL pilot Captain Vincent N. Franco, age 87.  Captain Franco joined Northeast Airlines 06-26-1957 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 1987, based Boston.  He was widowed in February 2010 with the passing of his wife Mary.  Formerly of Plymouth MA, Captain Franco had most recently resided in Southport CT.   

Daughter Jeanmarie writes:  " It is with a sad heart that I share with you my father's passing.  Dad died at home on Memorial Day; he was comfortable and peaceful to the end with the family around him.  His funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 6th, 11:00am at Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Ave, Westport, Ct.  The service will be followed by a luncheon at one of his favorite places, The Red Barn at 292 Wilton Rd, Westport, CT 06880.  Everyone is welcome.  Please, no flowers.  If you would like to do something, a contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project would be generous gesture to his memory.  It was one of his favorite charities."

Daughter Jeanmarie can be reached at (703) 861-2755.

Perhaps an alternate Connecticut listing where you may reach family would be (630) 850-6985.

Should we receive more information we will be sure to update our blogspot at

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

---------------------

~ IN MEMORY ~

Mary Franco, 1928-2010

Mary Wilhelmina Franco, formerly of Plymouth, Mass., died peacefully Friday, February 19, 2010 in Southport. Mary, 81, was born July 20, 1928 in Duluth, Minnesota. She was the wife of Vincent Franco, and daughter of the late Sadie and Holbrook Coulter. Mary leaves two daughters, Elaine Williamson and Jeanmarie Klitzner; and a son, Robert Franco. She also leaves two granddaughters, Sydney Klitzner and Jennifer Heatly; three great-grandchildren, Landon, Pace and Campbell Heatly, a brother, Daniel Coulter; and many nieces and nephews. Mary was a gentle, calm, and charming woman who was liked by everyone. She met the man who became the love of her life in grammar school and they began dating as teenagers. She found him to be handsome, intelligent and as funny, as Jerry Lewis. A firm believer that a woman should experience life, travel and know herself, she was finally ready to marry at 25. Mary and Vin celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary last summer. They shared a great love, enjoyed each others company, and played tennis, sailed and raised a family together. She was an extraordinary Mother and Grandmother who was able to both shower love and acceptance while providing firm guidance. Mary showed great strength throughout her life starting with the death of her father at the age of 13 when she went to school and worked to help her Mother with the household bills and raising her brother. Her sense of humor, wisdom and kindness made her popular with family and friends. She enjoyed children immensely and worked to brighten and enrich their lives as a Mother, GrandMother, Girl Scout Leader, founder and director of the Youth Museum in Westport and as a Sunday School teacher. She guided children to find God throughout all nature and found many ways to share her love for the Animal Kingdom. Mary was an active member of the Plymouth Spiritualist Church for 35 years where she never missed a class and tended the gardens to make the church beautiful. She also served as Secretary for 10 years and as Treasurer for 15 years. An avid spiritual and metaphysics reader, Mary especially loved the work of Deepak Chopra, and in her later years found great joy in sharing passages from How to Know God, The Soul's Journey into the Mystery of Mysteries with her daughter Jeanmarie. Mary was also a stylish dresser and loved shopping for new outfits. When her closet became too full, she would invite her daughters to find new outfits at "Mary's Fine Department Store," (also known as her closet) so that she could make room for something new. Her explorations into gourmet cooking and good eating fueled a family interest in cooking. During her time in Southport she enjoyed the gourmet delights prepared by her daughter Elaine, an excellent chef and family authority on all good eats. A Celebration of Life service will be held for Mary at Christ and Holy Trinity, 75 Church Lane, Westport, Connecticut on Saturday, February 27th at 1p.m.

From: George Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2015 3:24 AM   Subject: Vinny Franco

All,

It is with a sad heart that I share with you my father's passing.  Dad died at home on Memorial Day; he was comfortable and peaceful to the end with the family around him.  

His funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 6th, 11:00am at Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Ave, Westport, Ct.  The service will be followed by a luncheon at one of his favorite places, The Red Barn at 292 Wilton Rd, Westport, CT 06880.

Everyone is welcome.  Please, no flowers.  If you would like to do something, a contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project would be generous gesture to his memory.  It was one of his favorite charities.

Vinny's Daughter,

Jeanmarie Klitzner

703.861.2755