Albert O. Franch

ALBERT FRANCH NORWAY- Albert O. Franch age 68 of Norway died Monday, September 1, 2008 at Dickinson Co. Memorial Hospital, Iron Mountain, MI. He was born on March 9, 1940 in Cloz, Trento, Italy, the son of Rina (Rizzi) and the late Angelo Franch. Albert then, came to the U.S. in March of 1954 with his mother and brother, Silvio. The rest of his family followed later in small groups. When he first came to the U.S., he spent his first summer at Hamilton Lakes in Loretto, MI., and other than three trips to Italy, he spent all his vacations and hunting trips at Hamilton Lakes. He worked for Mech-Tronics Corp. for 49 ½ years from 1958 to Nov. 2007 as a General Foreman/Supervisor in Melrose Park, IL. Albert married Sandra Jarka on November 26, 1966 in North Lake, IL., and had one child, his daughter Amy in October 1973. He had one grandchild, Alessandra, who was born in 1992 and was his pride and joy. She was the only person in the world who could make his pain disappear after his first cancer surgery. He has been hunting in the area since 1967 and every summer for over 30 years picking mushrooms, wild berries and strawberries. Albert spent his last years of retirement here in Michigan, doing what he loved hunting, picking mushrooms and wild berries. Even his granddaughter Alessandra, visited the U.P with him since she was 8 days old and has continued visiting with him, several times each year, she is now 16 and was able to spent the entire summer with him this year. It is because of her that he decided it was time to stop sleeping so much and enjoy what time he had left, so he spent it in the woods and out at the lakes with her. He is a member of St. Mary's Church in Norway. The Trentino Alpine Club of Chicago and the Trentino Tyrolean Club of Norway. Albert is survived by his wife Sandra; daughter Amy (Eric) Noe of Wonder Lake, IL; granddaughter Alessandra Franch; his 96 year old mother Rina Franch of Elmhurst, IL; brothers Renato (Lourdes) Franch of Melrose Park, IL, Ron (Mary) Franch of Savannah, GA, Bruno (Janet) Franch of Melrose Park, IL and Steve Franch of Crown point, IN; sisters Carmen (Jim) Doyle of Chicago, IL, Mary (Anthony) Martinello of Melrose Park, IL and Elmina (Rick) Giese of Streamwood, IL; 22 nieces and nephews and their spouses; many great nieces and nephews; and his cousin Valeria (Michael) Zanoni of Norway. He was preceded in death by his brother Silvio Franch. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 4 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Mary's Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 12 p.m. at St. Mary's Church with Fr. James Roetzer, presiding. Interment will be held at the Norway Township Cemetery.

Albert O. Franch

March 9, 1940 - September 1, 2008