Reno Franconi

Reno Franconi, 102, of Wethersfield, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 30, 2024 and is now happily reunited with his beloved wife of 60 years, Alice (Dorizzi) Franconi, who predeceased him in 2011. Born in Torrington on December 12, 1921, he was the son of the late Angelo and Silvia (Veronese) Franconi. Reno attended Riverside Grammar School and graduated from Torrington High School, class of 1939. He served proudly in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII, beginning in 1943. He was honorably discharged in 1945, but served in the Air Force Reserves until 1968, retiring with the rank of Captain. He received his B.S. in Business Administration-Industrial Management in 1950 from UConn, where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He and Alice were married on August 25, 1951 in Norfolk, CT and settled in Wethersfield to raise their family.

He started his long career in the machining field after high school. He worked on the floor at Hendy Screw Products and Hartford Machine Screw, provided job estimates for American Standard Products, and led regional sales at G.S. Precision. Reno belonged to the Wethersfield Country Club since 1974 and served as the treasurer of the Connecticut State Seniors Golf Association for many years. He was a longtime member of the Republican Town Committee and served as a poll worker and moderator for 10-15 years. He always had an interest in computers, going back to the start of PCs in 1985 and to the newest iMac and iPhone. He was a longtime, faithful communicant of the Church of the Incarnation in Wethersfield.

A loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Reno will be forever missed by his four daughters, Jean Dalton and husband Robert, Susan Mulligan, MaryLou Baumgartner and husband C. Vincent, and Ellen Franconi; seven adored grandchildren and one cherished great-grandchild. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and extended family members. In addition to his wife and parents, Reno was predeceased by his brother, Victor Franconi, son-in-law, James Salmon, and former son-in-law, Robert Robichaud.

Reno was a true gentleman. He lived to love. Always kind and caring, he maintained his wit and positive attitude up until the day he died. He provided to those who knew him a precious example of how to live well.

Family and friends may attend a viewing on Friday, October 4 from 4-6 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Incarnation of Christ the King Parish, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial with military honors will follow in Village Cemetery, Wethersfield. To share a memory of Reno, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com