Obituary of Robert Franciotti

Visitation will be held on Friday from 1-4pm and 6-9 pm

Religious Service: Saturday 10:00 am at St John's Lutheran Church

47 Winthrop Street (Corner of Willis Ave.,) Williston Park, NY

Interment will follow at Nassau Knolls Cemetery, Port Washington, NY

In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to:

The St John's Lutheran Church, 47 Winthrop St., Williston Park, NY 11596

(donations will be used for the capital improvement fund)

Robert Franciotti, age 64, of Mineola passed away suddenly on Monday, August 14, 2017 while on vacation in St. Lucia. He was a member of the graduate class of 1971 at Garden City High School, and went on to receive his Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Religion from Manhattan College in 1974. At Garden City High Rob was a member of the Varsity Wrestling and Football teams, and was an avid weightlifter, who according to several of his yearbook signatories, stubbornly finished second in the senior year bench press competition. When not at school, Rob was either working on his car or surfing off Gilgo Beach.

In 1980, Rob married Debbie Marohn, also of Garden City, and moved to Mineola to begin raising a family. Just over two years later, Rob and Debbie welcomed their firstborn son Michael Robert, later bringing Kevin James in 1986, and Lynn Marie in 1988. Rob was a devoted husband and father to his family – attended school events for his children, and even coached soccer teams for Kevin and Lynn. He instilled his love of cars in Michael, and supported all three through college.

Rob was very active in his community later in life, as a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Williston Park, where he served as church council president for two terms, and frequently helped as an usher and communion assistant during services. He was also an integral part of the martial arts family of Charles Water Karate Studio in Williston Park, where he practiced, taught, and competed for 27 years.

Rob was the eldest son of Mary and Rex of Garden City; a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin and uncle who loved to spend time with his family at home, over holidays, and on many of their trips around the world. He had the opportunity to explore such marvels as an Alaskan glacier, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, the Holy City in Jerusalem, as well as his family roots in Italy, even discovering the Franciotti coat of arms attributed to 17th century Cardinal and Bishop of Lucca on display in a museum in France.

Rob and Debbie took several scuba diving trips to some of the most exotic places in the world, such as off the coast of Fiji, along the Great Barrier Reef, and around the Caribbean. This is where he spent his last moments, emerged in the peace and tranquility of the vibrant life 70 feet below the ocean surface around St. Lucia, passing away shortly after returning ashore.

He is survived by his wife of over 36 years, Debbie; brother, Paul and his wife Joan; children, Kevin, Lynn, Michael and his wife Heather, and granddaughter, Elle; nieces, Lisa and her husband Alex, and Patti; nephews, Neil and his wife Dena, and Mark; and numerous friends and relatives.