Antonio Joseph Franzi

Antonio Joseph Franzi Passed away August 14, 2007 at 92 years young in Santa Rosa. Predeceased by his wife of 55 years in 2002. He leaves three children, Joseph, Joanna, and Susanna; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was a graduate of the University of California School of Medicine in San Francisco 1940. His postgraduate training was interrupted by service in the armed forces November 1940 to April 1945. He served in the United States military, trained and became a flight surgeon and then served in the Pacific area and into Japan. He ended his career as Lt. Colonel, surgeon of the 310th Bomb Wing. He returned to San Francisco to start general practice and formed a group known as the Golden Gate Medical Group. He was active in the county, state, and national medical and general practice organizations. He was secretary of California Academy of General Practice (later changed to family practice) for six years in its early formative stages enforcing its education requirements to retain membership. He served as president of the State Academy in 1959. Then he was elected to the board of American Academy of General Practice for six years and served as chairman of its hospital commissions. His frequent meeting with the joint Commission on Hospitals played a role in the formation of department of general practice in hospitals. He was very active to raise the level of the family doctors education and training and as chairman of the general practice section of the AMA he was one of the four signers forming the American Board of Family Practice and served on the committee establishing the first examination foe applicants seeking board certification. He played an important role in raising the level of postgraduate education and level of care by family doctors after seeing the inadequate preparation by many when he started practice. He had a very happy family and professional life and considered himself to be fortunate to have been born in this country. Private family services will be held. Those who desire may contribute to their favorite charity or St. Luke's Hospital Foundation, 3222 Cesar Chavez St., SF, CA 94110 in memory of Dr. Antonio Franzi. Their children intend to have a celebration of life for both their parents at a later date.