Joseph Franceschini

Joseph Franceschini (Mr. Fran), 92, of Bristol, PA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family. 

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Giovanni and Pierina Franceschini; his siblings, Anna Marie Mancini (Nicholas) and Rocco Franceschini; his in-laws, Vincenza and Guido Scoponi of Ascoli Piceno, Italy; and his four loving companions, Buffy, Sasha, Leia, and Stella (dogs). 

Joe will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 60 years, Alessandra (nee Scoponi) Franceschini; his children, Carla Benincasa (David) and Marisa Franceschini (Louis Pirri); his grandchildren, Dante Benincasa, D.O., Christian Pirri, Luca Benincasa, and Daniela Pirri. He will also be greatly missed by his brother Michael Franceschini, numerous nieces and nephews, and his little princess, Muffin Rose (dog).

I lived my life through the poets who that made it a joy forever, so “let me count the ways” I traveled during my earthly days—days spent happily with my family and students of Father Judge, Bristol High and Conwell-Egan. Those were “the best of times” teaching Shakespeare and Dickens and many others along my way. What a great treasure to have been a teacher who lived with such gems.

I was so fortunate and blessed with years that are the gold one finds at the end of the rainbow or at the bottom of the sea. How lucky I was to have students who studied so well the works of the writers I assigned or wrote essays that reflected their talent—not only to give life to their thoughts, but also to carve their way through life, I found their words “a thing of beauty.”

In the past I spent some time in Paris as a student of the French language at the Sorbonne, followed by 21-day trips with students and adults alike, made my presence in April of 1956 in the streets of Monaco watching Princess Grace walking to the church, met Dustin Hoffman at Harrods in London, and saw Errol Flynn’s yacht in Palma de Mallorca. Life on earth was beautiful, thanks to all of you and my parents.

The many summers I lived with my wife and daughters (Carla and Marisa) in Ascoli Piceno were unforgettable. I swam in the Aegean Sea, Greek Islands of Hydra and Paros were memorable. Life with them in Italy was incredible, and life was beautiful for me.

Ciao, my friends.

Family and friends are invited to gather Saturday morning, August 17, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann Church, 357 Dorrance Street, Bristol, PA 19007. Funeral mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will be held privately at Washington Crossing National Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Bristol High School and Conwell-Egan Catholic High School.