Herbert C.    Franson

WWII US Navy Veteran

Herbert C. Franson, 87, of Southbury died December 29, surrounded by his family, at Danbury Hospital. Mr Franson was born in Norwalk, October 19, 1918, son of Charles and Hannah Franson of Narke, Sweden.

In addition to his wife of 55 years, Phyllis, he is survived by his daughter, Carol Franson-Serra and her husband, Guy, of Newtown; his son, Jon Franson and his wife, Joan, of Mebane, N.C.; and his daughter Lynnette Banfi and her husband, Charles, of Forest Hill, Md. He is also survived by his sister, Anne Miller of Woodbury, and his three grandchildren, Lara Banfi, Nathan Banfi, and Peter Franson.

Mr Franson graduated from Norwalk High School and attended classes at the University of Bridgeport. He served proudly in the US Navy during World War II aboard the USS Fulton in the Pacific theater. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW Post 603.

Mr Franson was a wood pattern maker aboard ship and continued his trade as the owner of the B&F Model and Pattern in Norwalk when he returned from the service.

In 1950, at a dinner party, he met his future wife, Phyllis Meyers. They married and together raised three children and lived in Georgetown for many years.

Mr Franson worked on a variety of projects during his career for clients such as NASA, Perkin Elmer, Remington-Rand, and Macklett Industries. In his free time, he was a talented woodworker, making furniture and carvings for his friends and family. Mr Franson was also an avid golfer and most proud of his three holes-in-one. He attended the United Covenant Congregational Church in Wilton.

Herb loved the ocean and enjoyed spending time in Rhode Island body surfing with his children. His children have many fond memories of their “birthday wheelbarrow rides” around the yard. In later years, he enjoyed reading and bird watching, and obtained his amateur radio operator’s license.

All funeral services will be held privately within the family in the spring.

Contributions in Mr Franson’s memory may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Street, Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.

The Southbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere has been entrusted with the arrangements.

The Newtown Bee        January 6, 2005