Louis Alfred Franceschini, Jr.'s Obituary
Louis Alfred Franceschini, Jr passed peacefully from this life due to surgery complications on October 25, 2014 exactly two months following the passing of his wife, Elizabeth, of 65 years. He was born in Memphis, TN on August 25,1922 to Louis Alfred Franceschini, Sr and Ida Peroni Franceschini who were from Senegallia, Italy and migrated to the mid-south in 1903. Mr. Franceschini attended St Thomas Grammar School and graduated in 1940 from Christian Brothers College (High School). Part of the “Greatest Generation,” Mr. Franceschini was a US Army veteran who proudly served his country in WWII from 1943-1945. Stationed in the South Pacific at Guadalcanal, he was part of the 806 Signal Service battalion rising to the rank of Technical Sergeant and was honorably discharged when the war ended. Upon returning home to Memphis, he leveraged the GI Bill and furthered his education by attending the Southern School of Law (now the University of Memphis School of Law) and graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Laws. Many Italian families during that time, were small business owners. His father successfully owned and operated various grocery stores since the early 1920s. Rather than pursuing a law career, Mr. Franceschini, chose to follow his father into the grocery business, partnering with his father and brother, Robert, in owning two supermarkets that were part of the Malone and Hyde (M & H)distribution network. Located at 1693 South Lauderdale, their flagship store opened in 1948 as part of M & H’s Easy Way chain and was Memphis first air-conditioned grocery store. The store brand was changed over the years to Lucky Leadway, Big Star and then to Franceschini’s Longview Market. Over the decades, all the Franceschini’s (spouses and children included) worked in that store at some point in their lives, making it a true family business. The store was a significant part of the fabric of South Memphis community and was operated by the Franceschini family until the brothers’ retirement in the mid 1990s. Generations of people came to know and love Mr. Louie Jr, either as customers, employees or business associates. Mr. Franceschini married the love of his life Elizabeth Giannini Franceschini on September 5,1949. They were lifelong communicants of St. Thomas Catholic Church and St. Paul Catholic Church. A devout Catholic and devoted family man, he was deeply religious. He held unwavering faith in God and was a role model of integrity and high moral character. He had an especially deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. His passion was the Knights of Columbus (K of C) , the world’s largest Catholic men’s fraternal organization dedicated to serving their parish, giving back to the community through service to their neighbors and growing in the Catholic faith through greater service to God. First becoming a Knight in 1946, Mr. Franceschini later joined the ranks of the Knight’s Fourth Degree and its elite “Color Corp,” distinguished by the ceremonial wearing of a tuxedo, chapeaux, cape and sword. As a K of C officeholder, he was elected Grand Knight of the St. Paul council 5062 for 1973-74 and was appointed District Deputy of West Tennessee for 1978-79. Mr. Franceschini was extremely proud of his Italian heritage and active in UNICO, a national organization that promotes Italian heritage and culture; as well as charitable, scientific, cultural, educational, and literary projects. He was an avid Bocce player and member of the Bocce Club of Memphis. Mr. Louie, Jr. was quite a character who was larger than life, but a genuinely humble, simple natured man who was unassuming and grateful for whatever came his way. He had tremendous charisma and was a wonderful storyteller. He loved to read, especially about history, and believed learning was a lifelong endeavor, as when he took up Spanish language lessons in his 70s. He never met a stranger and loved to talk. His kindness knew no bounds, always going out of his way to help others and make new people feel welcome and at home. Once you met him, you were instantly charmed and knew you were in the presence of a highly unique and special someone. He and his wife lived in their home in Whitehaven, until 2012, when they joined other active seniors at Ave Maria Assisted Living. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elizabeth Giannini Franceschini, his son Mark Franceschini, and brother Robert Franceschini. He is survived by his children Louis Franceschini, III of Memphis, TN, Dr. Ralph Franceschini of Los Angeles, CA, and Rita Coughlin (Linus) of Eads, TN; sister-in-law Mary Jo Franceschini; and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:30 pm with a rosary at 6:30 on Thursday, October 30 at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1425 E. Shelby Drive, Memphis, TN 38116. A funeral mass will be held there at 11:00 on Friday, October 31. Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Mother Cabrini Circle organization c/o St. Paul Catholic Church, 1425 E. Shelby Dr, Memphis 38116 or Ave Maria 2805 Charles Bryan Rd Bartlett TN 38134 , St. Paul Catholic School 1425 E. Shelby Dr, Memphis Tn 38116.Funeral Service has been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN. 38119. “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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