Deacon Dino J. Franch

Deacon Dino J. Franch, 93 of Wood Dale. Beloved husband of Raffaella nee Bertagnolli. Loving father of Lawrence Franch, Daniel (Anu) Franch, Paul Franch and the late Gloria Schmidt. Cherished grandfather of Daniel Schmidt, Ralene (Matt) Hall, Sandor, James, Markus, Ava and Dino Franch. Great-grandfather of Elizabeth, Gilena, Harper, Gionna, Lucas and Kenlen. Fond brother-in-law of the late Antonio (Luciana) Bertagnolli.

Visitation Friday, October 18 from 3-8 PM at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 254 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale, IL 60191.

Funeral Mass Saturday, October 19, 10 AM at Holy Ghost Catholic Church. Interment private at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL. Please omit flowers.

Dino J. Franch passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning of October 14th. He was 93.

Born in 1931, Dino grew up in Melrose Park. Once married, he and his growing family moved to Elmhurst, Addison, and ultimately to Wood Dale in 2018. 

A blue-collar man, Dino never finished high school. Yet as an adult, he returned to school to become a deacon. Describing himself as “a humble servant of the Lord,” Deacon Dino dedicated 35 years to his calling at St. Joseph Church in Addison and Holy Ghost Church in Wood Dale.

He married, buried, baptised, and ministered to countless people from all walks of life. His open arms, compassionate heart, and listening ear were a source of comfort. Deacon Dino “reached out to so many people” and touched so many lives was how one person remembered him.

Yet, as devoted as he was to his community, his heart belonged first and foremost to his family. 

While serving in the Army in Germany in 1952, he met his future wife Raffaella while visiting relatives in Italy. They married in 1953 and spent 71 years together. Many described their love and connection “like a fairy tale.”

That love and connection extended to his children. Dino was present for their milestones, rarely missing their events. His support for his kids extended to their friends. 

“Your dad was a wonderful influence on us” is how one of his son’s friends put it after hearing of Dino’s passing this week. “I have never forgotten his support,” wrote another.

Passionate and compassionate, Dino lived through his hands and heart and is remembered for how he made people feel… loved and cared for. 

“Love, care, share, and be fair” was a phrase he often used as a deacon. Sage words.

Dino is survived by his wife and three sons, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. He is reunited in heaven with their daughter who passed away in 2009.