John Orlando Franchi passed away in his sleep Wednesday morning, January 27, 2016. John was born in Los Angeles, California on January 4, 1932 to Anna and Orlando Franchi. His father came over from Italy through Ellis Island at age 16. John graduated from Manual Arts High School. He was an extraordinary violinist and an exceptional athlete who made All-State Basketball and Baseball, At the age of 18 John was signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers and played third base and shortstop for their farm team. A leg injury interrupted his baseball career.
John joined the Air Force in January of 1951 and spent two years in Korea and the Philippines. He also survived an airplane crash in Hong Kong. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant in January of 1955, from Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan.
In Michigan he met Shirley Metry, his future wife of 60 years. After honeymooning in Mexico City they moved to Los Angeles, California where John began working at the base in Pt. Mugu.
Their first son, Daniel, was born and then they moved to Ventura, California where they have lived for almost 60 years. Three more children followed; Michelle, John, and Christopher.
John then transferred to the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory in Port Hueneme where he worked at until he retired in 1994. During his employment, he would accompany top executives to many areas in the United States, including Camp David, due to his skill in creating the models drawn up by the engineers.
John was the consummate father, spending many years coaching youth baseball and basketball teams in Ventura. Twice taking his winning basketball teams to LA to compete at the sports arena. He was devoted to the Boy Scouts, assuming many roles in helping his sons and other boys become Eagle Scouts, mainly in Troop 103 in Ventura. John never missed an event or game that any of his children participated in. His grandchildren benefited from his retirement and he spent years volunteering at their schools and taking them everywhere.
John was a huge Civil War buff. He traveled to every U.S. Civil War battlefield and many other battlefields abroad. John collected various Civil War artifacts, his favorite being cannon balls. He was also an avid stamp collector.
John loved to travel. In fact, his last adventure involved visiting all the missions found in California. Thankfully he was a fabulous photographer, leaving behind several pictures to keep his talented artwork and memory alive.
John is survived by his wife, Shirley; children Dan (Pam), Michelle (William), John (Krista), and Christopher; grandchildren Amanda (Eric), Trevor (Chelsea), Brianna, Nicholas, Michaela, Silas, and Alessandra; great-grandchildren Finley, Sage, and Ronin.
Friends and family are invited to visiting hours from 5pm to 9pm on Sunday evening January 31, 2016 where a Most Holy Rosary will be recited at 7pm in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME, 757 East Main Street, Ventura.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday February 1st, 2016 at 10am in the San Buenaventura Mission, 211 East Main Street also in Ventura, with Reverend Father Leon Hutton presiding. Burial and gravesite services with Military Honors will follow at Santa Clara Catholic Cemetery, 2370 North H Street in Oxnard, California.