Peter Franco

Peter Anthony "Pete" Franco, 67, of New Haven, Connecticut, passed away on January 13, 2026, at Yale New Haven Hospital with his family by his side.

Born on August 7, 1958, in New Haven, Pete remained deeply connected to his hometown throughout his life. He was a man whose presence could light up a room—funny, encouraging, and famously stubborn. With a heart of gold and a personality that couldn't be ignored (even if you tried), Pete left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Pete is survived by his loving wife, Norma Franco; his daughters Lisa-Marie Franco (Julian) and Laura Derenzo (AJ); and his cherished grandchildren Haylee'Lyn Clark, Kristina-Marie Clark, Giovanni Franco, Onna Derenzo, AJ Derenzo, Kevin Derenzo, and Talia Derenzo. His legacy continues through his great-grandchildren Matteo Radman, Jayden Clark, Owen Cole, AJ Derenzo, and Raelyn Derenzo. He is also remembered by his brothers Roy Franco and Daniel Franco; his sister Joan Franco; several nieces and nephews; and his stepmother Pamela Franco.

He was preceded in death by his parents Gus Franco and Joan Franco.

Pete's passions were as bold as he was. A lifelong fan of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the New York Yankees, he lived life with enthusiasm and style. But perhaps nothing brought him more joy than music. A passionate guitar player with a deep love for melody and rhythm, Pete found true happiness sharing that love with his grandchildren—teaching them about music, swapping stories that somehow got better every time he told them, and creating memories that will echo for generations.

If there was a guitar nearby or an audience willing to listen, Pete was in his element. Whether strumming chords or cracking jokes between songs, he brought people together through laughter and sound. His storytelling was legendary—each tale delivered with flair and often punctuated by one of his favorite phrases: "I'm the boss."

A celebration of Pete's life will be held at Montowese Baptist Church, 201 Quinnipiac Ave., North Haven, CT. The service will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by a gathering from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., where family and friends are invited to share memories and honor the man who brought so much joy into their lives.

Pete leaves behind laughter that still echoes in the hearts of those who knew him, music that continues to inspire those he taught it to love, stories that will be retold for years to come—and above all else—a family who loved him deeply. He will be missed beyond words but remembered with smiles, jokes, guitars in hand—and someone inevitably saying "I'm the boss," just like he would have wanted.

May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him. A Memorial Service will be held on February 7, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 01:00 PM at Montowese Baptist Church 201 Quinnipiac Ave. A Celebration of Life will be held on February 7, 2026, from 01:00 PM to 05:00 PM at Montowese Baptist Church 201 Quinnipiac Ave. Family and friends are invited to go directly to the hall for a gathering to celebrate Petes life immediately after the service.