Joseph Franco

Family-Placed Death Notice

FRANCO, Joseph Joseph D. Franco, age 98, of Atlanta, died April 30. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rachel Saul Franco, of Blessed Memory. He loved people and loved to talk with people and he always sought out others eager to engage him in conversation. He was passionate about politics and international affairs, the State of Israel, business, Italian opera, his deep love of his Sephardic Jewish heritage and the United States of America, that welcomed him. Fluid in six languages, he reveled in learning new words and expressions. He was born on the Island of Rhodes, one of eight children born to David and Reina Franco. After graduating high school in Rhodes, he left for the Belgian Congo in 1927 where he spent 2 years as an accountant for a railroad company. He arrived in the United States in 1929 and enrolled as a student at Emory University, from which he graduated in 1934 with a degree in economics. He married his beloved wife Rachel in 1934. He spent several years working in the import/export business and selling insurance for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. In 1943 he moved with his family to Bogota, Columbia as an employee of the Federal Bureau of Economic Warfare procuring quinine, rubber and other raw materials for the United States Government. Following the war, he returned to Atlanta where he went into business as the owner of apartments and a liquor store. He worked into his eighties, helping his sons in their medical practices and selling insurance for MAG Mutual Insurance Company. He was a devoted husband to his wife of 64 years. Joe and Rae Franco dedicated their lives to raising a close and loving family. He was an involved father at a time when fathers were not typically so involved in their children's daily activities, carpooling all five children during their school years, and becoming friends with all of his children's friends. He was a member of Congregation Or VeShalom and Ahavath Achim Synagogue. Survivors include his son, Richard Franco and wife Phyllis; son, Ramon Franco and wife Jody; daughter, Renee Franco; son, Robert Franco and wife Sara; daughter, Rita Gilbert and husband Craig, all of Atlanta; grandchildren, Lewis Franco and Heidi Thompson of Maple Corner, Vermont, Michael and Jill Franco of New York City, and Henry and Rebecca Chalmers, Rachel Franco, Meryl Franco and Sam Worley, Janine Franco, Alan Pinstein, Dena Franco, Eli Franco and Eliana Gilbert, all of Atlanta. He is also survived by six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his six brothers and one sister, and leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sign online guestbook at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Weinstein Hospice, Congregation Or VeShalom or the charity of one's choice. A graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery, Friday, May 2, at 2pm with Rabbi Hayyim Kassorla officiating. Arrangements by Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999