Alex Franchi

"Uncle" Alex Franchi, 93, of Port Barrington, formerly of Northbrook, passed away Friday, February 13, 2015, at his home.

He was born March 17, 1921, in Evanston to the late Francesco and Maria (nee DiNatale) Franchi.

Alex grew up in Wilmette and Glenview. A US Army veteran of WWII, he served in the Philippines and was a part of the occupation of Japan. After being honorably discharged, he moved to Northbrook, where he became vice president of Franchi Landscape Service. Upon retirement, Alex moved to Port Barrington to live with his nephew and wife, Leo and Hilda.

He enjoyed and was passionate about playing the accordion, gardening, and shoveling snow.

Survivors include his siblings, Frank Franchi of Tulsa, OK, Marcie Reinardt of Boise, ID, and Albert (Virginia) Franchi of Crystal Lake; nephews and nieces, Louis Franchi, Anne Claybourn, Gary (Diana) Franchi, Leo (Hilda) Franchi, Joe (Marie) Brender, Linda (Ralph) Poplowski, Yvonne VanDerWerff, Virginia Franchi, Yolanda (Dean) Buckland, Gail Gurnicz, Nancy Franchi, Gary Franchi, Marla Reinardt, Don Reinardt, Howard Menier, David Reinardt, Phil Reinardt, Ray Reinardt, Roger Franchi, Marcella Franchi, and Johnny Franchi; and many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Alex was preceded in death by his siblings, Louis (Yolanda) D. Franchi and Gus (Margie) Franchi; sister-in-law, Dorothy Franchi; brother-in-law, Hal Reinardt; and great-great niece, Chloe Hershberger.

The family’s special thanks go out to Paul Brender and everyone at Heartland Hospice for their extraordinary, compassionate, and loving care of “Uncle” Alex.

The visitation will be Saturday, February 21, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of eulogy service at 10:30 a.m., at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 149 W. Main St. (Lake-Cook Road), Barrington.

A funeral and committal service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, February 21, at Windridge Memorial Park, 7014 S Rawson Bridge Rd., Cary, IL 60013.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Institute, 528 Raven Way, Naples, FL 34110, www.sids.org, or 239-431-5425.

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