Richard Anthony Franco, Jr., 74 

Richard Anthony Franco, Jr. passed away May 22, 2025 at his home on Summer Street in New Canaan. Rick was born August 3, 1950, to Gloria and Dick Franco. Unbeknownst to the young couple, Rick would be the first of their eleven children. 

Rick Franco

Rick attended St. Aloysius School and was in the first graduating class to complete all eight years in the new school. At an early point in Rick’s academic career he unwisely chose to launch a paper clip off the end of a rubber band, narrowly missing a nun but striking the Monsignor in the head. This act, while lacking in circumspection, did not impede his matriculation at the nascent institution. Rick continued on to New Canaan High School where he played football under the skilled leadership of Head Coach Joe Sikorski. Many of Coach Sikorski’s observations guided Rick throughout his life (“Franco, you carry that football like a loaf of Italian bread!”). 

Rick was a flanker for The Rams in their historic win over Darien in 1967, breaking a twelve year losing streak to the bitter rival. Only five years earlier, Darien had buried New Canaan 70-0. The 1967 victory was an historic win for Sikorski and New Canaan, still talked about today. Ask an old New Canaanite; they will tell you. 

The summer of his Junior year, Rick eschewed mowing lawns and instead worked at the tumultuous 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago with his good friend Steve Roebling. Rick and Steve crossed through violent demonstrations running reels of riot footage back to the Associated Press TV Room. This internship marked an early contribution to the gray hairs on his father’s head. 

After graduating NCHS in the class of ‘69, Rick’s next stop was Marquette University. But university life was not for him. There was a maverick spirit in Rick that was not easily tamed, and college was not the answer. Somehow he ended up far across the continent in the Alaskan frontier, where he felled trees and lived in an abandoned miner’s cabin. He regularly sent letters home to Tommy’s Lane, where his mother read them over the kitchen table to rapt siblings. His brothers and sisters were captivated; his parents less so. 

Life brought him again to Milwaukee where fate blessed him. He met a beautiful young woman, Cynthia Schlick, who would become the love of his life. They married in 1981 and returned to New Canaan where they would remain the rest of their lives. 

In the early 80s Rick began working at the liquor store his uncle, Albert Franco, established on Elm Street in 1933. This would be the first step of Rick’s forty-year career at the store. He became the creative force that would carry Francos to the forefront of the area’s liquor industry. 

Under Rick’s supervision, Francos became the only business in town to regularly run full page ads in the New York Times. A trailblazer in his marketing technique of combining prose with price, Rick moved the focus of the ads to culinary passion. His wine prowess became known throughout town, and Francos Wine Merchants became purveyors to the social set. Dinner parties were in their heyday. Collectors relied on Rick’s knowledge to stock their cellars. “Futures” became a big part of the business. And Rick’s enological advice became de rigueur. 

In 1986 Rick and Cindy were blessed with their daughter Elizabeth, and their world changed. Elizabeth brought many new firsts into his life. Contrary to his “tough guy” nature, he found himself attending Halloween parades, ballet recitals, and Little Mermaid birthday parties. Elizabeth’s star became the center of Rick’s universe, even after illness made his universe smaller. One of the most joyous days in Rick’s life was seeing Elizabeth marry her college sweetheart, Jonathan Hill. She and Jonathan would eventually bring beautiful grandchildren into Rick and Cindy’s lives. The singing sound of their play brought comfort to Rick even in his last days. That’s how love works. 

Rick wove himself into the New Canaan tapestry much like his parents before him. He cared deeply for the town. He served an admirable four decades on the Parking Commission. He spearheaded the effort to save The Playhouse. He often supported many local charities both through the store and his own philanthropy. New Canaan was his home in the beginning. New Canaan was his home in the end. 

In 2017 Rick was Fall Guy for the New Canaan Gridiron Club. Nothing was off-limits. Rick’s unusual résumé of life experiences provided plenty of fodder for the players. Jokes about his beloved Blue Stork Stables and horse racing brought down the house. Rick endured a lot of ribbing that night, but nobody laughed harder than he did. 

Rick’s salty personality and colorful language was counterbalanced by an underlying kindness to many. Hand-written notes of sympathy or concern were often treasured by recipients who were touched by Rick’s profound level of care. He was a daily fixture at seven o’clock Mass at St. Aloysius where he practiced his deep faith. He found a great deal of peace within the pews, surrounded by the stained glass and statuary, and from the faith and kinship of his fellow parishioners with whom he felt such closeness. 

Rick is predeceased by his wife, Cynthia Schlick Franco and is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Franco Hill, her husband Jonathan, and their two children, Henry and Pierce. He was also predeceased by his parents, Gloria C. and Richard A. Franco, Sr. He leaves behind ten siblings: Tom and his wife Yvonne of Ridgefield; Chris and his wife Christie of Monroe, NY; Anne Franco McAndrew of Kent, CT; Tim and his wife Marie of Concord, MA; Mike and his wife Mary of New Canaan; Duffy and his wife Megan Collins of Norwalk; Carl, and his twin brother Claude and his wife Val of New Canaan; Katie and her husband Mike O’Neill of New Canaan; and Kelley and her husband Tom Throop of Rowayton. Rick also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. 

Arrangements are being handled by Hoyt’s Funeral Home of New Canaan. Calling hours are on Thursday, May 29 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 30, at 11:00 AM at St. Aloysius Church. The Mass will be live-streamed here.

Those who wish to make a donation in honor of Rick’s life may send gifts to Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs in Fairfield, CT.