George G. DeFranca, Sr. died peacefully at his home, on April 4, 2021, in the loving presence of his wife of 66 years, Agnes (Rothermund) DeFranca. He was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, May 9, 1930. He is the son of Antonio and Maria (Viera) DeFranca. He was very proud of his Portuguese heritage and lived, for a time, in the Madeira Islands. His parents, as well as his sisters, Mary DeFranca and Agnes Maffee, predeceased him.
George graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School. He served in the US Air Force during the Korean War as a Sr. Airman. After being discharged he married his beautiful wife, Agnes on May 29, 1954. They lived in Elizabeth and moved to Succasunna, New Jersey where they raised their seven wonderful children. He was a manager of the Dayco Rubber Company in Dover, NJ, worked as an Ironworker and also in the engineering division of Hercules Inc., as an Explosives Technician. George also served many years as a member of the Roxbury Police Department Auxiliary service. In retirement, George and Agnes moved to North Carolina for a few years, then to Florida where they resided upon his death.
George was an avid Frank Sinatra fan and enjoyed dancing with Agnes when they thought the kids were not watching! He had a beautiful voice and sang on the Radio in the late 1940s. He had a great affection for hunting and salt-water fishing. He also loved reading and was an avid baseball fan and player and at one point was scouted by the Philadelphia A’s professional baseball team, playing in their minor league system. He also enjoyed tutoring children and adults.
He is survived by his beautiful wife, Agnes. Along with his wife he is also survived by his children Debra Poutsiaka (Bill), George DeFranca, Jr. (Linda), Diann Kelly (Thomas), Geoffrey DeFranca (Kathleen), Laurie Chaplin, Mary DeFranca and Carol Chapman (Scott). He is also survived by his fifteen grandchildren, Katie, Matthew, Monica, Jacqui, Jessi, Alyssa, Christine, Rachel, Mary Kate, Charissa, Keith-Alan, Kelly, Courtney, Carly, Luke, his great grandchildren, Isaiah, Braxton, Lucia, Olivia and Carson. Along with his nieces and nephews. In addition, he is survived by his sisters, Cecilia Rico and Helen Maborek.
A celebration of life will be held at Lemon Bay Funeral Home, 2 Buchans Landing, Englewood, FL 34223 on April 15, 2021 at 11:30AM. Following the service, the family will gather for internment at Sarasota National Cemetery. Those who wish to remember George in a special way, may make gifts in his memory to the Knights of Columbus or Fellowship Church of Englewood children’s wing.
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