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FRANCHINI -- Gene Edward Franchini, 74, was born in May 19, 1935 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Gene passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 while giving a lecture to UNM 1st year law students. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mario and Lena Franchini; and his daughter, Lori Franchini Basham. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Glynnie Franchini; son, Joseph (Jamie) Elias and wife, Carla Wersonick; daughters, Pamela Trent, Nancy Franchini and husband, Jim Edgcomb, Gina Franchini and husband, Eddie Landis; and eight grandchildren, including his most precious Rebecca; and his brother, Jim Franchini. He is survived by many, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Gene attended St. Mary's grade and high school, Loyola University of the South, New Orleans, Louisiana, received BBA degree from the University of New Mexico, Anderson School of Business, JD degree from Georgetown University in Washington DE and an LLM degree from the University of Virginia. He was admitted to practice in 1960 and would have celebrated next year his 50th anniversary in the field he so loved. Gene spent 32 years as a trial lawyer, six years as a District Judge and 12 years on the New Mexico Supreme Court. He was presiding judge of the Second Judicial District 1978-1979 and Chief Justice 1997-1998. While serving as Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, he was elected by the National Conference of Chief Justices as Second Vice-President of their Board of Directors. During his career, he served as Chairman of the Personnel Board for the Labor Relations Board and Interim Board of Ethics of the City of Albuquerque. He lectured annually at the University of New Mexico School of Law and was active in the New Mexico and Albuquerque Bar Associations. He was the first president of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association. He received a number of awards over the years including the Albuquerque Bar Outstanding Judge Award in 1997 and the New Mexico Bar Pioneer award in 1998. In 2003 he received the Seth Montgomery Distinguished Judicial Service Award from the State Bar of New Mexico. In 2004 he received the Golden Gavel Award from the National High School Mock Trial Championship, Inc. He was Chairman of the Client Protection Task Force of the New Mexico Bar Association in 2009 and was inducted into the Anderson School of Management Hall of Fame in 2008. His history also includes: Staff Judge Advocate, New Mexico Air National Guard, Member Board of Directors of the Albuquerque Bar Association, Chairman Personnel Board for the City of Albuquerque, Chairman Labor Relations Board, Chairman Interim Board of Ethics, Co-chairman New Mexico Medical-Legal Board, Chairman Board of Trustees for Heights General Hospital, Member and Legal Counsel for the Board of Directors of Southwest Distributing Company. He was a member of the following: New Mexico Bar Association, Albuquerque Bar Association, New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, American Board of Trial Advocates, New Mexico American Inn of Court, Liaison Justice for the New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners, Co-Chairman of New Mexico Commission of Professionalism. After retiring from the New Mexico Supreme Court on December 31, 2002, he continued his love of law by doing mediations and arbitrations. As an appellate justice, he authored over 160 and participated in over 425 published opinions. The Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary was held Friday, November 6, 2009, 7:00 p.m., and Mass was held Saturday, November 7, 9:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima, with Father Lucian C. Hendren. Burial followed at Gate of Heaven. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial donations be made to Center of Civic Values, P.O. Box 2184, Albuquerque, NM 87103 or a charity of your choice. Please visit our online guestbook for Gene at www.RememberTheirStory.com. French 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
        Published on: Sun November 08, 2009