Obituary: Ernest Ugo Franzone, 94

by | Mar 30, 2023

Member of EGHS Athletic Hall of Fame 

Ernest was born on January 12, 1929 in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Ernest went to be with Jesus on March 23, 2023 at 94 years old. He was a hero to his eight children and adored by all who knew him. He was velvet and steel; gentle and tough; a lover and a fighter. He was gifted in so many ways: He could play the trumpet, act and sing, and write and speak with authority and compassion. He was an artist and a genius. He played football in high school and was drafted by the Canadian football league. He went on to be an athlete and a boxing champion in the Army. Instead of continuing his football career, he chose to get a college education. He is in the athletic Hall of Fame of East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He went on to coach high school sports and teach biology and anatomy. He succeeded in the hospitality industry as well. He ran major hotel corporations and served as Executive Vice President of Brock Hotel Corporation, always exceeding ownership expectations. His excellence earned him the Man of the Year Award by the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, and he was honored to be the American delegate to the United Nations Hospitality Committee.

Dad was a unique leader who sincerely cared about each person he worked with, from the corporate team, hotel management teams, dishwasher, server, and all hotel staff. He remembered names and information about the people he met at all hotels he visited. His endless kindness made everyone feel special. He succeeded in the hotel industry by building great teams of leaders, motivating them, and humbly giving them the credit.

Ernest loved Jesus and placed his trust in Him. He prayed and read his Bible daily. He is with our mother, and they are rejoicing together! He loved his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. This man left an amazing legacy and will be missed by all who met him.

Ernest is predeceased by his loving wife, Tina Franzone; his parents, Amato and Sophie Franzone, and his brothers Mario, Patrick, Mike. He leaves behind his sister Marina Oliva, eight broken hearted children: Mike & Leasa Franzone, Peter & Cindy Franzone, Steve & Kathy Franzone, Lisa & Novel Woods, Tony & Denise Franzone, Patrick & Evelyn Franzone, Joe & Nicole Franzone and Andrea Franzone as well as twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren.

The celebration of his life will be on March 31, 2023, at 11:30 AM at Babione Funeral Home, 1100 N. Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL. 33432.

                                                                                                        ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

EG News Obituary Policy: We post obituaries relevant to our readers. If you would like to share an obituary, send it to [email protected]. Put “obituary” in the subject line. 

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Bruce
Bruce
March 31, 2023 7:48 am

An outstanding person and a member of the EGHS Wall of Honor. Ernie starred throughout life.
Believe he played college football in Kansas. He made an impact. God Bless to his family.

Andrea Franzone
Andrea Franzone
May 24, 2023 3:06 pm

Hi, I am the 7th child of Ernie and Tina Franzone, I had the privilege of living with my Dad for the last 4 years after my loving mama went to heaven. My Daddy was kind, fun, and extremely loving.
He made everyone around him feel special. He could make you feel like you’re the only person in the room, and you had his complete attention which made you feel valued. When we would talk to him he would be so attentive He was patient and wise. He had an amazing way to make you feel like you could do anything and you always left feeling more confident and that you were a superstar.
Our Dad Loves God and wanted everyone to know the Lord.
He was so understanding with people, Dad taught us principles that have and will serve us well throughout our life
Love the Lord with all your heart soul and mind.
Do your best to do the right thing even if it’s hard just do it…
Never look down on people, love them be kind you never know what that person has been through in Life. The meanest person needs the most love. Another person’s time is just as important as yours. we were taught to share what we had with others we were taught to be givers.
My Dad loved my Mom and missed her every day and he loved his 6 boys and 2 Girls, He loved his Daughter in-laws and his one son in law he Loved and adored his grandchildren and great children.

To my siblings, dad would often talk about you and say things like.
Mike was a dynamic preacher and extremely talented. Peter was outgoing, could sell you a rock, and is a great Dad to his daughter. He said Steve is Smart and could solve any problem and was so good to his family. He would say Lisa has a Big heart he respected her and he could count on her for anything and had total trust in her. Tony was an amazing leader and could fill a room full of laughter and could make anyone feel comfortable. He would say Patrick would give anyone his last dime and was a wonderful leader because he thought of others first and Patrick was a hard worker. He would call me his angel and tell me he was blessed to have me for a daughter but I was the blessed one to be one of Ernie Franzone’s Daughter and his youngest Joe he said Joe was like David in the bible man after God’s own heart, he was thoughtful and he was extremely proud of Joe. He couldn’t wait for Sunday He looked forward to watching Joe preach the word of God on Facetime.
The legacy of our dad lives in our family. I believe that some of Dad’s legacy lives on in the lives of people that we have had the privilege of getting to know.
The Franzone Family has suffered a huge loss, Dad taught us all what is really important in life, to love
Jesus and ask him in your heart, to care for people and to serve.
It is a great privilege to be his daughter. The best legacy is not what we leave for people but what we leave in people. Our Dad left so much Love in this world.
I have the privilege of taking care of my Dad daily, and I appreciate all the kind words that people would say about my care for daddy.
The truth is that he took care of me, He was always the Dad, always guided me and looked out for me and he was truly dad till the very end.
Thank you, Dad, for being the most incredible father we could have ever wanted. Thank you for making us want to make the world a better place. Thank you for making sure that we have known we were loved every day of our lives.
I love you, Dad and I‘ll miss you more than I can say. I will miss you until I see you in Heaven with Mom. Not sure how everything will be ok without you… But I will do what you always would say to me in times of sadness. Andy, I need you to be brave….

Lisa Woods
Lisa Woods
May 31, 2023 9:18 am

Dad,
I miss you so much! You were the most kindest Dad a daughter could ever ask for. You always listened to me! I miss talking to you daily. My dad was a man who smiles brighten your day! Who always made you feel good with his warm words of praise. My dad was someone who always had stories to tell, but most important he knew how to be a good listener. He was my very best friend and I am proud to be his daughter.
Dad ❤️ I love you so much and I will see you and Heaven!
Your daughter,
Lisa

Joe Franzone
Joe Franzone
May 31, 2023 9:20 am

I thank God for my father. C.S. Lewis wrote, “The death of a beloved is an amputation.” I think it is. The more you were loved and loved in return the larger the cut. Our father loved us deeply. I had more time with him in the last two years than the last twenty. I enjoyed every minute of it. We spent time talking about old times, new things, and people he loved, knew, and admired. It felt like Camelot at its best.

I was there in his final moments on earth before he woke up in the arms of Christ in
heaven. By God’s grace, I will see him again.

Joe Franzone, the youngest of his eight children.

“But I must admit I miss you terribly. The world is too quiet without you nearby.”

– Lemony Snicket

Jane Blair
Jane Blair
October 20, 2023 10:43 pm

I was a secretary to your father at Aristo Foods. Great man and loved working for him. I was 17 and was my first job. 🥰

Andrea
Andrea
March 9, 2024 10:46 pm
Reply to  Jane Blair

oh my goodness would love to hear more💕❤️

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