Orlando J. P. "Red" Francesconi

Orlando J P "Red" Francesconi died peacefully at home in Darien on Sunday, Dec 16, surrounded by family

He was born May 20, 1916, in Stamford, to the late Joseph Francesconi and Clementa Brunetti Francesconi

Mr Francesconi graduated from the Stamford High School Class of 1934 He served in the U S Army from June 1941 to June 1944 in the European, North African and Middle Eastern Theaters He achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant and served as Infantry Regiment Platoon Officer with the First Infantry Division He was honorably discharged in June 1944 In August of 2011 he was personally awarded the World War II Victory Medal at his home in Darien by Congressman Jim Himes

Mr Francesconi was employed by American Cyanamid (now Cytec Industries) for 38 years in the Chemical Engineering Department having retired in 1983 His prior employment, before WWII, was at Conde Nast Publications in Greenwich

In 1946 his love of carpentry led him to take on the task of building his own house, a home he has shared with his wife, Nancy LoCicero Francesconi, whom he married on Sept 13, 1947 This is the Darien home they have lived in for 65 years with their 4 children

Mr Francesconi was a member of the Darien-New Canaan AARP Chapter 972; a member of the Darien Senior Activities Center where he volunteered much time during his retirement years; and a member of St Thomas More R C Church in Darien

In addition to his wife, Nancy, he is survived by 3 daughters and a son:

Lynn Francesconi of Bridgewater, NJ and her husband, Benjamin Fieselmann; Jane McCamish of Walnut Creek, Calif, and her husband James; Ellen Konitshek, of El Cajon, Calif, and her husband, Dean; and Peter Francesconi, of Woodbury, and his wife, Cynthia Sherman Also surviving are five grandchildren, Daniel McCamish and his wife Michelle; Lisa McCamish Smith and her husband Jake; Benjamin Fieselmann; Heidi Fieselmann; and Krista Fieselmann; and two great grandchildren, Micah and Matthew McCamish

Also surviving are nieces MaryAnn Hallowell of Stamford; Audrey Cool of Naugatuck; and nephew James Caterbone of Stamford

He was predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Dora Caterbone of Stamford, and Elda Gabriel of Naugatuck

The family will receive friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Thursday, Dec 20 from 5 to 8 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Thomas More RC Church, 374 Middlesex Road, Darien on Friday, Dec 21 at 10:30 AM Burial will follow at St John Cemetery, Darien

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P O Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101 or St Thomas More R C Church Building Fund, 374 Middlesex Road, Darien, CT 06820