Louis Edward Franchetti, Jr., 61, passed away Sunday, September 28, 2014 at Good Samaritan Health Care Center in Alliance, Nebraska after a brief second battle with osteosarcoma. Lou, known as “Butch” by his family, was born in Vallejo, California April 11, 1953 to Louis Edward and Alice Ann (Brown) Franchetti. A devoted fan, he grew up watching the San Francisco 49’ers and passed the love for his team down to his daughters. He played baseball and shared his knowledge of the game through coaching his nephew, Steve Kwiatkowski, in Little League and later his daughters’ softball teams.
Lou graduated from Hogan Senior High School in 1972 with his lifelong friends Jim Angell and Matt Steinberger. He was so proud of being a part of this graduating class that he painted the family home in Alliance, Nebraska “Hogan blue.” He married Jean Dolet Mann August 9, 1975 in Vallejo, California and moved with their first born to Bingham, Nebraska in 1978 when the new diesel facility in Alliance was being built. He soon started at Burlington Northern Railroad as a machinist where he worked until 1992 when back injuries forced a change.
While at BN, Louis served as local chairman and on the executive board of IAMAW Local Lodge # 602, and was active in the WNCLC. He worked diligently on campaigns for Ben Nelson and Bob Kerrey with the Democratic Party. He also served on the Alliance City Council from 1990 to 1994, and shared his opinions on politics, labor, and the world with anyone up for a good argument until the day he died.
In 1993, Lou and Jean purchased the Opera House building in downtown Alliance. Lou enjoyed remodeling the Opera House as a family project and completed several contracting jobs throughout his life that made his and the homes of his family more comfortable. He opened an arcade and collectibles store, Collector’s Corner 1995-1998, in an effort to create a place for community youth, including his daughters, to be teenagers without causing trouble.
Lou moved to England in 2003 to lend a hand to his youngest daughter during a time of war and birthing babies. There, he met his second wife, Roshan Printer, and was married July 29, 2005 until May 2010. Lou worked as a civilian at Fairford Air Force Base in Gloucestershire, England until December of 2012 when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Lou returned to Alliance, Nebraska May 2014 to spend time with his family.
Lou is preceded in death by his parents, Louis Edward Franchetti, Sr. and Alice Ann (Brown) Franchetti Bissonnette.
He is survived by his daughters; Trish (Brian) Johnston of Alliance, NE, Lisa (Bob) Zucco of Abingdon, IL, Debra (Michael) Yeager of Okinawa Japan; grandchildren; Matthew Franchetti, Michael, and Elizabeth Johnston of Alliance, NE; A.J. Franchetti, Ashley, and Adam Yeager of Okinawa Japan; Katelynn, Lauren, and Abigail Zucco of Abingdon, IL, siblings; James (Margaret) Franchetti of Las Vegas, NV, Rita Franchetti-Keene of Ridgecrest, CA, Nancy (Gerald) Scouten of Hulett, WY; several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and many friends.
Graveside services and Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2014 - time and location to be determined at a later date.
Memorials can be sent to Good Samaritan Healthcare Center, 1016 E. 6th St, Alliance, Nebraska, 69301, Prairie Haven Hospice, 2409 Box Butte Ave Alliance, Nebraska, 69301, or Old-Timers Baseball, PO Box 153 Alliance, Nebraska, 69301.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.