Francesco Franco Gallo died peacefully in his San Jose home on April 13, 2009. Franco was 83-years-old. He is survived by his wife, Giuseppina, sons, Tino and Carmine, four grandchildren, Franceso, Nick, Josephine and Lela, brothers Angelo and Nino, sister Ersilia Iacomini, and two daughters-in-law Donna and Vanessa, and multiple nieces and nephews. He died after an 18-month battle with Esophageal cancer. In his final weeks, Franco was surrounded by family and friends in his beloved home in San Jose. Born in Andretta, in the hills of Southern Italy, his family moved to Ethiopia when he was twelve. From the ages of 16-21, Franco was held in a British concentration camp with other Italians until the end of the World War II. His vision, courage and faith allowed him to see a world beyond the confines of his camp. After returning to Italy, he married his childhood sweetheart, Giuseppina. They lived in Milano where Franco worked as a police officer. In 1956, they moved to America where Franco worked as an engineer for Palo Alto-based Varian Associates for more than thirty years. The family resided in San Jose, CA, a town Franco loved so much, he found it difficult to travel elsewhere, always yearning to return to “the best place on earth.”
Friends and family are warmly invited to attend a rosary on Friday, April 17th at 7:00 P.M. visitation at 6:00 P.M. at the Lima Family Mortuary Chapel on 710 Willow Street in San Jose. The Memorial Mass will be held at the Chapel at Bellarmine College Preparatory, Saturday April 18th @ 10:00 A.M. with interment to follow at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, 490 Lincoln, Santa Clara. In lieu of flowers contributions are preferred to the American Cancer Society.
