Vincent Franco

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.