Garth David Francis

Mason City - Garth David Francis, 53, of Collinsville, Conn., formerly of Mason City, died unexpectedly Tuesday (Jan. 13, 2009) while visiting an old friend in Virginia.

There will be a gathering of family and friends to remember Garth from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City. Inurnment will follow at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Highway 122 W., Mason City.

The family of Garth David Francis has requested that those wishing to give a memorial may direct them to the Collinsville Historical Museum in Collinsville, Conn, in his memory.

Garth David Francis was born on Nov. 1, 1955, in Columbus, Ohio, the son of the late Paul Francis of Rockwell and the late Joanne (Bower) Francis of Mason City.

Garth was an artist who began his career as a welder and art-assistant to the renowned artist John Chamberlin. Garth directed Chamberlin's intricate installations all over the world. In 1992, Garth started a Florida based company called Art Smart, Inc., and became a leading conservator of outdoor sculpture and statuary in the region. Garth worked with the famed Pop-Artist Roy Lichtenstein while restoring his statue, the Mermaid, in Miami Beach, and received many accolades for his work. In 1999, Garth relocated to Conn. and settled in the village of Collinsville, Conn., where he continued creating art work and became a well-known and beloved member of the community. He could often be found sitting at the counter in LaSalle Market, drinking coffee and joking with his large group of local friends.

Garth had a love of life that was reflected in his sense of humor, his accepting nature, and the wide spectrum of friends he has left behind in Iowa, Fla. and especially Collinsville, Conn. While in Conn., Garth supported himself as a tradesman and his handiwork, which dots the Collinsville landscape in many forms, will serve as a poignant reminder to those who knew him best. As an artist, Garth often worked in abstract sculpture and enjoyed collecting relics from the Collinsville area.

Left to cherish his memory are his sisters, Paula (Mark) Garth of Sioux City and Christine (Tom) Whitten of Simsbury, Conn.; a nephew, Paul Garth of Omaha, Neb. and a niece, Katie Garth of Madison, Wis.; as well as other extended family members and many friends.

A gathering of family and friends in remembrance of Garth was held Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, at the Collinsville Historical Museum, 11 Front St., Collinsville, Conn.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapels, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, 641-423-2372.

www.colonialchapels.com.