Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Thursday, October 02, 2008 at 04:06:22 :
Independent Journal
Friday, June 8, 1979
WALTER LaFRANCHI Sr.
Walter D. LaFranchi Sr., a longtime Petaluma resident, died Thursday at his home after a sudden illness. He was 59.
A native of Healdsburg, LaFranchi moved to Petaluma as a 16-year-old. He had operated the family dairy ranch on Stage Gulch Road for many years.
LaFranchi sold the ranch 15 years ago and had since worked as a heavy equipment operator for the state Department of Transportation.
He served in World War II and received the purple heart. Since the war, LaFranchi had remained active in the 361st Infantryman’s Association.
LaFranchi was also a member of the California State Employees Association, Holy Ghost Society of Petaluma and St. James Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Lois Mello LaFranchi of Petaluma; a son, Walter D. LaFranchi Jr. of Sacramento; a daughter, Patricia Smylie of Santa Rosa; a brother, Charles LaFranchi of Boyes Hot Springs; six sisters, Carrie Spaletta and Dorothy Silacci of Petaluma, Leah Del Fava of Healdsburg, Ruth Brashear of Fortuna, Irene Martinelli of Cloverdale and Hilda Bettinelli of St. Helena; and a grandson.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Monday at St. James Catholic Church. Recitation of the rosary will be at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Sorensen Funeral Home.
Burial will be in the veteran’s section of Cypress Hill Memorial Park.
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