Joseph V. Franco

1923 - 2017

Joseph V. Franco

AGE: 94 • Westport, CT

Joseph V. Franco, 94, of Westport, CT, and formerly Warren, NJ, died at home surrounded by family on September 28, 2017. He was born May 19, 1923 in New York City, eldest son of Vito and Carmella Franco. He was preceded in passing by his brother Vincent N. Franco

He is survived by his Wife of 68 years Olympia (Rodriguez) Franco, daughter Linda Franco-Doyle and her husband David Doyle of Westport, Ct. Son James Franco and his wife Cathy Haller-Franco. His granddaughters Christen and Danielle Franco and Mikayla Doyle. His sister Eva Giambalvo and her husband James Giambalvo and numerous nieces and nephews

The son of immigrant parents from Italy, Joe grew up in New York City during the Great Depression; it was those early years that instilled in him a strong work ethic that would be the cornerstone of his character and values throughout his life. He instilled in his children and grandchildren a strong sense of family, love, respect and charity.

Joe was a Lieutenant in the Navy during the Second World War where he flew a TBF Avenger off the Air Craft Carrier CV-40 USS Tarawa. After the Navy he attended Pratt University where he earned a degree in architecture. There he met the love of his life Olly and married her in 1950. Beginning his career in NYC working Lorimar Rich Architects. He came to join AT&T in NYC in the 1960s.

Joe and Olly began their life in NYC where they welcomed their two children into the world but soon after moved to Westport Ct. (his Home away from Home) where he was surrounded by the large extended family. Joe commuted to NYC until the early 1970s. Being in charge of construction and real estate and the in-house Architect for AT&T, he was directed to locate property in New Jersey for the new World Headquarters of AT&T and Headquarters of Long Lines. Joe helped develop the design concept of the Long Lines building in Bedminster N.J. Later after selecting the land for AT&T in NJ Joe, Olly and Jim moved to Warren, NJ. Joe remained with "Ma Bell" until his retirement in 1989, when he joined his son Jim's Architectural firm in N.J. until his "second retirement" in 2010

Joe and Olly returned to Westport, CT in 2012 where he lived the remainder of his life close to family and "back home". He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Joe's memory be made to a charity of your choice.