Enrico Franciosa

Enrico “Rico” Franciosa, age 92, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2024, at his home in East Walpole, Massachusetts, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Pettorano Sul Gizio, Italy on May 21, 1932, he was the oldest son of Vito and Rosina Franciosa. 

Rico married the love of his life, Concetta Pinciaro, on August 4, 1949, in Italy before they immigrated to the United States and ended up in the North End of Boston. He worked hard from the moment they arrived, starting in construction as an oiler and progressed to a heavy equipment operator. He excelled as a crane operator and held licenses for almost every piece of heavy equipment. 

The family moved to Maine for a time, and then to Dorchester, MA. While there, Rico and Connie helped sponsor and support family members immigrating from Italy, encouraging them to stay with them until they became established. The couple was always helping those around them, and their incredible work ethic and teamwork accomplished a great deal for their family and friends. In 1960, they moved to East Walpole with their children where they would live for 64 years. Rico and Connie brought the rural lifestyle of Italy with them to America. 

Rico would work all day, then come home and work in his garden until Connie called him in for dinner. He grew tomatoes, peaches, beans, peas, grapevines and more. They raised rabbits and chickens, and Rico loved his pet dogs and cats. Come harvest time, they canned and pickled as a family, but best of all was when they would get together to make wine. One year the family made 80 gallons of wine. Everyone who visited was always welcomed with warm hospitality and a glass of wine. 

The ever-active Rico was part of the Sons of Italy where he had many friends, as well as the Italian American Club where he helped build the bocce courts. He helped one of his sons build his house and a fieldstone wall, and he was cutting and splitting his own firewood for the wood stove up until his late 80s. He retired once, unsuccessfully, and instead drove cars for Boch, primarily for the opportunity to have some coffee with friends before the job. Rico came from a time when you had to do most work for yourself, so he was well-versed in plumbing, masonry, and tilework, and even giving haircuts to the neighborhood children. 

Rico was a member of the Local 4 for 74 years. None of his work got in the way of him spending time with his family. Rico would bring the family camping for a week every summer, and Connie would bring a casserole for the family to enjoy together. They visited friends and family every weekend, no matter where they lived, because community was so integral to their lives. The family gathered around for “Pizzelle Day” where his children and grandchildren would all help make the pizzelle cookies with the old-fashioned irons. And on New Years, Rico was ready with his three-foot spoon and massive pot of polenta. Later, when Connie was sick, he took great care of her, and was able to reciprocate all the love and care she had showered on him for so many years. His legacy of generosity lives on in his many loved ones. 

Beloved husband of the late Concetta (Pinciaro) Franciosa. 

Loving father of Joseph V. Franciosa and his wife, Deborah, of East Walpole; Anthony E. Franciosa and his wife, Martha, of Blackstone, MA, the late Enrico Franciosa Jr. and the late Lucy Ann Walach. Father-in-law of John Walach and his wife, Joanne, of East Walpole. 

Cherished grandfather of Joseph V. Franciosa Jr. of East Walpole, Timothy V. Franciosa of Plainville, Maria Franciosa and her wife, Samantha, of Hatfield; and Anna Franciosa and her husband, Andrew Martin, of Arlington, Virginia; and great grandfather of Marco, Evelyn, and Vincent Franciosa.

Brother of John Franciosa and his wife, Rita, of Easton, Elia Susi and her late husband, Joseph, of Milton, and the late Frank Franciosa and his late wife, Carmel. 

Brother-in-law of Joseph Pinciaro, Sr and his late wife, Julia, and the late Frank Federico, Sr and his late wife, Mary.

Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends. 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Enrico's Life Celebration on Thursday, October 17th, 2024, from 4 to 8 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. 

All are invited to gather in the funeral home on Friday, October 18th, 2024, at 9:00 am prior to Enrico's Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated in Saint Mary's Church, 176 Washington Street East Walpole, at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Enrico's name may be made to Lucy Ann Walach Scholarship, c/o the Walpole Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 58, East Walpole, MA 02032 or at https://www.walpolescholarshipfoundation.org/