Samuel A. DeFranco

Born April 18, 1926, in Watertown to Anthony DeFranco and Marguerite (Catania) DeFranco, Sam graduated from Watertown High School, enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines during World War II. Upon return, Sam went into business with John Navarra and operated Modern Food Market before joining Acme Markets as a produce manager.

Sam retired in 1991 and relocated to Florida, where he enjoyed spending winters, returning each summer to Lake Placid, where he enjoyed golf, fishing, bridge and horse racing. He was a 61-year member of the Watertown Lodge of Elks, former member of the Watertown Golf Club, Malone Golf Club and several golf clubs in Lake Placid.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Harriet (Potter) DeFranco; three daughters: Catherine of Clifton Park, Rosanne (George) Cordelli of East Greenbush and Charleston, South Carolina and Julie (James) Connors of Lake Placid; four grandchildren: Jennifer (Joseph) Forsha of Summerville, South Carolina, Amy Cordelli of East Greenbush, Leigh Anne Connors and James Connors of Lake Placid; two great-grandchildren: Devlin George Hotaling and Abigail Rose Forsha; four sisters: Josephine Leone, Sue Leone and Antoinette Navarra of Watertown, Carmeline D’Amico of Syracuse; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two brothers and four sisters.

Services will be held during the summer in Lake Placid.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to North Country Life Flight, P.O. Box 994, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 or the charity of your choice.