Sean Franko

FRANKO On May 10, 2011, Sean O'Boyle Franko, 34, died peacefully at home in hospice care after a long, brave struggle with muscular dystrophy and congestive heart failure. Sean is the son of Dennis and Libby O'Boyle Franko of Alexandria, VA. He is the grandson of Ann Morley Franko of Alexandria and the late Richard T. Franko, both had been longtime residents of Milford. He is also survived by his brother, Dennis and family, a sister, Hart, and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins in the New England area, Arizona, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and overseas in Australia, England, and Ireland. In 1996, he was the recipient of a donor heart just a year after graduation from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria. He was the first muscular dystrophy patient at Inova Fairfax Heart Center in Falls Church, VA. to receive a heart transplant. Sean was an advocate for the disabled in his community and for his efforts received the Gerry Bertier Scholarship Award from the City of Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities. He served on the Alexandria School Board Special Education Advisory Committee, attended Congressional hearings on muscular dystrophy issues, taught art classes at Springhills Mount Vernon Assisted Living, conducted research for several environmental groups, and volunteered at the Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C. Sean completed his degree in fine arts from George Mason University. His last art exhibition occurred recently with VSA Arts Virginia at the Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville, VA. Sean's family and friends are invited to participate in a Memorial Mass on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at 12:30 P.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 310 S. Royal Street, Old Town Alexandria. In lieu of flowers, family suggests a donation in his name to Connecticut-based Sensations Charitable Foundation, Inc., or Capital Caring.