Husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Martin “Yogi” Faenza, 81, passed away peacefully, Wednesday May 25, 2022 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center in Worcester following a brief illness.
As a lifelong resident of Franklin, he loved hunting trips to Maine, fishing, tending to and delivering vegetables from his garden, cooking tripe, watching the horse races and all New England sports, and sharing a beer or a wine cooler with friends in his garage.
It would be difficult to find anyone that knew Yogi, or spent time at the garage, that doesn’t have a great (epic) story to tell about this tough-as-nails but loving man who was often described as “quite the character.” These hilarious and heart-warming stories of friendship, daily life in town, and his youth are what made him a true Franklin legend and what will help his family overcome this incredible loss.
Yogi was born in Milford, MA in 1941 and was a proud veteran, serving his country as a Paratrooper in the Army as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years Janice (Holmes) Faenza of Franklin, his son Joseph M. Faenza of Franklin and his girlfriend Lisa Graves of North Attleboro, his daughter Dawn M. Faenza of Franklin, his grandson Jake Faenza, and his great grand daughter, Scarlet Faenza, as well as many local family and friends.
He was the son of the late Henry L. "Ski" Faenza and Ruth E. (Loranger) Faenza, brother to Richard Faenza of Florida, and is predeceased by his brother Michael C. Faenza of Franklin.
Per Yogi’s request, his service and internment at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, will be held privately.
Friends and family are welcomed to donate in his memory to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital https://lovetotherescue.org or to the wounded warrior project. https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org
The Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. is assisting with arrangements.