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NORWALK, Conn. Francis D. Franz, a 50-year resident of Norwalk, died Aug. 15 in Wallingford, Conn., with family by his side. Franz was moved from Norwalk to Masonicare of Wallingford in 2009. He was 88.
Born Sept. 12, 1923, in Boston, he was the son of Jacob and Mary McMaster Franz. He graduated from Center School in Coventry, Conn., in 1937, and Windham High School in 1941.
Franz served in the Army Air Forces during World War II, stationed in Italy. Following his discharge, he attended Willimantic State Teacher's College and graduated in 1951. It was there that he met his future wife of 55 years, Patricia Chisholm of Millburn, N.J.
He later attended New York University to receive his Sixth Year Degree in education. Franz and his wife both began their teaching careers at Hamilton School in Greenwich. They married in 1955 and he continued teaching at Western Junior High School in Greenwich until his retirement.
After retiring, Franz worked at Fairfield County Bank in Norwalk. A longtime parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, he sang with the Norwalk Choral Group and was active in the Norwalk AARP.
Franz is survived by two sons, Michael (Catherine) Franz, of Newbridge, Ireland, and Peter (Marjorie) Franz, of Norwalk; a daughter, Mary Anne Franz, and her spouse, Carol Keogh, of Stratford; and five grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Tuesday, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Norwalk. A private burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Coventry. The family will receive friends from 3 to 7 p.m., Monday, at Magner Funeral Home in Norwalk.
Memorial contributions may be made to Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut, 74 Cheshire Road, Wallingford, CT, 06492.
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