Donald L. Franco, a resident of Northford, Connecticut passed away on December 8, 2016 at Yale New Haven Hospital/ He was 78 years old. Don was born on October 15, 1938 in New Haven, Connecticut to Louis and Camilla Franco. He was preceded in death by his parents. Don is survived by his wife Lorraine, brother Leonard (Janis), beloved nieces, Debbie and Maura, aunt Georgeanne DiVito and several close cousins. He was especially close to Anthony, Frank and Vinny Finelli, Lenny, Mike, Erica, and Ashley Hottin. Don attended Quinnipiac University and the National School of Real Estate Finance at Ohio State University. He had an extensive early career in banking and real estate serving as senior appraiser and assistant vice president of the Colonial Bank and Trust in Waterbury. In 1972, he commenced his health care career when he acquired Teresa Guest Home in East Haven. This then led to expanding his healthcare career when he designed and built Talmadge Park Health Care in East Haven and in1986, he acquired Astoria Park Rehab and Nursing Center in Bridgeport. In 1993, he became owner of East Shore Development, Inc. which built Laurel Woods Nursing home in East Haven, Connecticut. He was also owner of DLF Associates, a professional health care management firm. His professional activities included a strong affiliation with the Connecticut Association of Healthcare Facilities where he served as a member of the board of directors and was founder and treasurer of the Nursing Home Industry Political Action Committee (NHI-PAC and served in several capacities in the American Heath Care Association. He was a certified fellow of the American College of Health Care Administrators. He was an administrator-in-training preceptor in association with Quinnipiac College and the University of Connecticut. He was awarded the Distinguished Administrator Award from American College of Health Care Administrators. His community activities included founding board member of East Shore Regional Adult Day Care, chairman of the board of East Haven Counseling Services, board of directors of the East Haven Mental Health Services, President of the Exchange Club, East Haven Chapter. His hobbies included photography, sports cars, car racing watching Notre Dame Football, the NY Giants and Yankee baseball. He loved playing cards with his cousins and friends. He loved to travel to Italy, France, London, Aruba and Las Vegas. He enjoyed music, concerts and Broadway plays. He loved spending time with his family, friends and Portia his beloved Malamute.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial in St. Therese Church, North Haven on Saturday morning, Dec. 17th at 10:00 and are also invited to attend the committal services immediately following in the All Saints Mausoleum. The visiting hours will be Friday from 4 to 8 PM at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Donald L. Franco Memorial Scholarship Fund, Notre Dame High School, 1 Notre Dame Way West Haven, CT 06516.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories of Don from when I worked with him at Talmadge Park many years ago. He also was my photographer at my wedding and took beautiful pictures as my wedding gift. I am sure he will be greatly missed.
Until we meet again!
My condolences and prayers to Lorraine Franco and all his family. “Dapper Don ” was a special man and made people, including me, feel special when he met them. His kindness will not be forgotten. I had the great pleasure to work with Don and it was like working with family. Don will be greatly missed. RIP. Love , Nancy Nurse.
LORRAINE, OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOU FOR YOUR LOSS.
WE ALWAYS ENJOYED BEING TOGETHER WITH YOU AND DONALD.
WE ARE PRAYING FOR THE STRENGTH IN YOU TO CARRY YOU THROUGH
THIS TOUGH TIME. LOVE, LEN & SHEILA
We have lost a very good friend, taken from us to soon. Such a kind heart and human being.
We will miss Donald, but remember the good times we had together.
Sam & Marsha
Lorraine, so very sorry for your loss
Lorraine we are saddened by the news and will miss Don greatly, it was always better sharing the holidays with you both at Mom and Dad’s. We have you in our prayers,
Jeff and Wendy
Mrs. Franco
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Franco. I will always remember both of you from working a Talmadge Park as your social worker. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
We miss our friend. We miss traveling together. We miss eating together. We miss our unique driving escapades together. Glad we met some years ago at a hotel in Amelia Island Florida. That was a great day! We will see our friend again one day and we will share the road and food adventures once again.
The world is a little worse off this week without a Don Franco…so are we.
Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep
Do not stand in my grave and weep
I am not there,I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glint on the snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you wake in the morning hush
I am the swift,Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!
Mary Frye (1932) rush
I’m so sorry for your loss. Don took such good care of both my Mom and my Dad, at Talmadge. He really cared and made sure that they received the very best care. A true gentleman. Loved talking with Don about Porsches! May he rest in peace.