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FRANKLIN -- Daniel C. Franklin, age 77, died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends, October 1, 2010. Dan was born in the southern Italian hill town of Noepoli, on September 27, 1933. His parents, Joseph and Maria Francomano, predeceased him. Dan and his mother immigrated to the United States in 1939, joined his father who was already living in New York city. Dan grew up in New York, lived in Florida and settled in Albuquerque, in 1981. Dan is survived by Ginger Franklin, his loving wife of 30 years; son Eugene Dunaway IV; brother Anthony Francomano; sisters, Fran Travers and Joann Francomano; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews. In his last few months, Dan was also made comfortable by his faithful caregiver Robert Zamora. Dan was a devoted and loving husband, father, brother and friend to many with no limit to his willingness to help anyone at a moment's notice, always giving totally of himself. A true renaissance man, Dan was an accomplished artist, artisan, and photographer. He was an avid collector of antiquities, art, and sculpture. He was a accomplished architect, designing and building two homes in Florida, as well as being a landscape designer, interior designer and carpenter. Dan served his country in the Navy aboard the USS carrier WASP in flight operations. He often said being aboard the WASP were the two most exciting years of his life. His professional life involved medical laboratory management. He retired from Tricore, formally The Reference Lab, in 1996. Dan had a love of flight, earning his pilot's license at age 16. He discovered sailing while living in Florida, and sailed the Gulf of Mexico in a Cal 20 sailboat. His love of travel took him, his wife, son, and friends to many foreign destinations, especially to his beloved Italy. Dan lived life to the fullest with great joy de vivre. As Dan wished, there will be no funeral service. A memorial gathering will be celebrated at his home at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in his name to The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History (Albuquerque Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 7006, Albuquerque, NM 87194) If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.
        Published on: Sun October 10, 2010