Benjamin M. Francese

Benjamin M. Francese of Hardeeville, SC, beloved husband of Mary A. Francese, died peacefully, with his wife and family members at his side, Wednesday, May 10, 2017. He was born February 5, 1930 in Long Branch, New Jersey. Son of the late Bruna and Constantino Francese. He was attending Monmouth College in Long Branch, NJ, an excellent student and star track and field athlete when the Korean War broke out. He enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in the intelligence field. Sworn to secrecy, he never told anyone, friend or family, about his duties or responsibilities during his time in service. While stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, he married and he and Mary had their first child of what would become a family of six children. He was Honorable discharged in 1954. He returned to New Jersey and worked as a lineman for the power company and went to school at night. As a young man with a growing family, he often took on a second or third job to provide the necessities of life. He eventually went to work for Atlas Supply Company. He was involved in evaluating and testing all manner of automotive parts, belts, and tires. Often, he designed and built the machinery for the testing process. He retired from Atlas and assisted as a photographer for his wife’s real estate magazine. Together, they also became active members of a community theater group where he donated his considerable artistic talents to set design and prop building. Additionally, they traveled in their RV and pursued their various hobbies and activities. His lifelong pastimes and pursuits included fishing, photography, woodworking, hand carving, leatherworking, and lapidary (the cutting and polishing of gems). He was a handgun enthusiast and expert rifleman. For many years he was the neighborhood “shade tree” mechanic who seemed to have time to fix everyone’s car but his own. His favorite pastime was painting. He displayed his artwork, donated some for charity fundraising and won numerous awards over the years. He loved to share his knowledge and expertise with his children and grandchildren. He spent countless hours teaching and helping them in their hobbies and vocations. He was a great counselor and could expound on seemingly endless subjects. He enjoyed doing so and his family enjoyed his knowledge, enthusiasm, insight and wisdom. He was a life member of the VFW, AmVets and NRA. After many visits to the Lowcountry to visit four of their children who had migrated south, he and his wife decided to fully retire to Hardeeville, SC. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 66 years; children Mike (Joanne) Francese, “Vinnie” (Rhonda) Francese, Jerry (Kathy) Francese, Kathy (Bobby) Thomas, Greg (Norma) and Terry (Pat) Walker, sister Mary Vincelli; grandchildren Michelle (Jacob) Puleo, Mitch Francese, Brittany Francese, Ben Thomas, Amanda Walker and greatgrandchildren, Emmy, Mason, and Everett (Illana) Puleo. He is preceded in death by a brother, Angelo Francese, a sister Lucy Fay, and a grandchild Chris. The family will be receiving friends from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 22, 2017 at the Francese residence in Hardeeville. A private burial will take place at Beaufort National Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans, Beaufort Chapter, P.O. Box 392, Beaufort, SC 29935.