Alfred "Al" John Franci

Obit edited to remove names of living individuals:

Alfred J. Franci, former mayor of Plum Borough, community activist, avid golfer and proprietor of Franci Cos., peacefully passed surrounded by his loved ones on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, at the age of 81. He was a graduate of Turtle Creek High School Class of 1950; Scout leader for National Eagle Scouts for 25 years; appointed mayor of Plum Borough in 1988; elected in November 1989 in a write-in and passionately served two consecutive terms; Plum Council member, Plum Planning Commissioner for 14 years; 1993 Advanced Leader "Citizen of the Year"; and life director of the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh. He was instrumental in introducing 24-hour EMS to Plum. He was the beloved husband of Marlene for 60 years; loving father of Korri, Brett, Laurie and Alfred; grandfather and mentor to Dayne, Bryce, Brett II, Brittany, Victoria, Mason, Brooke, Bailey and Bella; and brother of Alma, Ellen and the late Lena Hermann and Frank. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Friends received from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at MAURICE L. KNEE LTD. FUNERAL HOME, 7663 Saltsburg Road (across from S and T Bank), Plum, PA 15239. Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Our Lady of Joy Church. Interment will follow in Plum Creek Cemetery. If desired, the Franci family suggests memorials to Plum EMS, 4545 New Texas Road, Plum, PA 15239. (Pittsburgh Tribune Review 11/25/2013)

Bill Zlatos's article titled "Mayor poured energy into community, business" (Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, 12:01 a.m.) [http://triblive.com/obituaries/newsstories/5142692-74/franci-plum-alfred]:

When the 2-year-old grandson of Alfred Franci, then mayor of Plum, suffered a seizure in the 1980s, his family drove him to the hospital rather than wait 25 minutes for an ambulance. The boy's heart stopped beating at the hospital before he was revived.

Appalled, Mr. Franci later encouraged the borough council to approve paid, around-the-clock emergency medical service.

“He loved Plum Borough, believed in it and wanted to make a difference,” said his daughter, Laurie Hart of Highland Park.

Alfred J. Franci died of a stroke on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, in Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville. He was 81.

He was born in Wilmerding to Gina and Louis Franci, Italian immigrants. His father was a contractor and his mother, a homemaker. He grew up in Turtle Creek, graduated from high school there and helped his father build houses.

Mr. Franci spent a year working at a railroad, then served as an apprentice for a floor-installing business. He started a company, Alfred Franci Tile, in 1954. The business expanded and became Franci Cos.

Despite his civic involvement and the demands of work, politics and his family, he never complained of being tired, said his wife, Marlene Franci of Plum.

“He had the energy that most of us don't,” she said.

Mr. Franci served on the Plum Planning Commission, Plum Council and was appointed mayor in 1988 when the elected mayor could not finish his term. When the Democratic Committee did not endorse him, he ran a successful write-in campaign. He was elected again on the Democratic ticket four years later.

He bought his daughter a quarter horse and made a riding ring for her at their house. One day, she was riding and practicing her horsemanship when she asked him how she was doing.

“He put his hand on my leg and said, ‘That was great, but I want you to practice more. It doesn't matter how old you are. Always be a professional at whatever you do. If you're not going to do the best that you can do, don't even bother doing it at all,' ” Hart recalled.

From that day on, she practiced four hours a day, seven days a week, and won local, county and state titles.

In addition to his wife, Marlene, and daughter, Laurie, Mr. Franci is survived by daughter Korri; sons, Brett of Plum and Alfred of DuBois; sisters, Alma of Harrison City and Ellen of Sarasota, Fla.; and nine grandchildren.

Mr. Franci was preceded in death by a sister, Lena Hermann, and a brother, Frank Franci.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Maurice L. Knee Ltd. Funeral Home, 7663 Saltsburg Road, Plum. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Our Lady of Joy Church in Plum. Interment will follow in Plum Creek Cemetery.