Troy R. DiFranco, 48, of Grafton, passed away Sunday, June 23, 2019, at University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center, after suffering a heart attack on June 11, 2019. He was born June 21, 1971, in Elyria, and was a lifelong Grafton resident. Troy taught math at Midview High School, where he was also the head coach of the boy’s varsity basketball team for 19 years. He was also a 1989 Midview High School graduate and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Grafton. Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Michelle (nee Aschenbach); daughters, Erin and Lauren DiFranco; son, Evan DiFranco; mother, Kathy DiFranco; sister, Heather Wervey; brothers, Chad, Jason, and Ryan DiFranco; father and mother in-law, Marty and Sherry Aschenbach; sisters-in-law, Janelle Polonkay and Kristen Jenkins; 18 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Bob in 2000. There will be no visitation.Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2019 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 708 Erie St., Grafton. The Rev. Fr. John P. Seabold, pastor, will be the Celebrant. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Troy DiFranco memorial fund at any Huntington Bank branch for the benefit of his children. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Elyria. Online condolences may be expressed at:www.laubenthalmercado.com.

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Published by The Morning Journal from Jun. 25 to Jun. 26, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Troy DiFranco

Sponsored by morningjournal.com.

6 Entries

Erich DeChant

July 27, 2019

I recently learned of Coach DiFranco's passing. My family has known the DiFranco family since my father and Troy's father, Mr. Bob DiFranco, became friends while they taught and coached together at North Ridgeville High School in the mid 1970s. I cannot thoroughly express how deeply sorry I am for their loss. Both Troy and his father were men of high character. I knew Troy's brother Ryan to be the same. God bless all the DiFrancos during this time.
Sincerely,
Erich DeChant
Formerly of Avon

June 30, 2019

So sorry for your loss. May you receive strength and comfort from God."He will make you firm; He will make you strong; He will firmly ground you". 1Peter 5:10

Wade Smolira

June 29, 2019

My condolences to Troy's family. He was a great teacher, coach, and man. Sorry to hear of his passing.

June 26, 2019

Troy, I will miss you. You and your family have been my friends since my days with your father at North Ridgeville High School. I last coached against Troy this past golf season and met one of your daughters who was playing on the Midview golf team. You were outstanding both on and off the basketball court as well as at the golf course. I miss your father and now I will surely miss our interactions at the golf course. I hope your family can find its way through this loss and continue to present themselves in the same manner as you did throughout your life. I fully believe that that will continue to happen.
Norm Frindt
North Ridgeville High School
Teacher, Coach
Basketball, Softball, Golf

Kimmy Shores

June 25, 2019

I have not seen Troy since we graduated from high school in 1989. 30 years later, he still holds a very special place in my heart. It doesn't surprise me that he became a beloved coach at the school he adored. It doesn't surprise me that he made the headlines of the local newspaper when he had a heart attack. It doesn't surprise me to hear that he was a great dad. I always knew that he would be someone special. I was privileged to witness Troy become the great man that I read about. He was my childhood friend and my classmateI got to see him every single day of elementary school, middle school, and high school. He was always so kind and so genuine, and he stood out amongst his peers. I was so saddened to hear about his death. I assumed that one day I would see him again, but I wasn't that fortunate. Regardless, it was a sincere honor to know him way back when and watch him grow up. He was such a great guy that I will never, ever forget!

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