Agnese C. Franco

SCHENECTADY – Agnese Christina Franco, 90, of Ingersoll Place, Consaul Road, [formerly of Keyes Avenue], has passed away on March 5, 2024. Agnese was born on January 29, 1934, in Albany to the late Vincenzo and Raphael Romeno DiTrapano.

Agnese grew up in the South End of Albany, attending The Cathedral Academy and The Academy of Holy Names, graduating in 1952 and began working at the First Trust Bank in Downtown Albany.

Her close friends set up a blind date with the love of her life, William (Bill) Franco.  They were married on September 10, 1955, at St. Anthony’s Church, Albany, and moved to Schenectady and enjoyed almost 67 years together until his death in 2022.  After moving to Schenectady, Agnese began working for Schenectady Trust (now Trustco Bank).

Agnese became a stay-at-home mom, a role she lovingly embraced. She was completely devoted to her husband and family. As a consummate caregiver, Agnese’s love of children led her to work for the Niskayuna School District as an aid for physically challenged children before retiring in 1999.

She also cared for many of the neighbors on Keyes Avenue.  She drove them to their doctor’s appointments, bought groceries, picked up medicine, etc. Agnese’s home was a hub for everyone.  Visitors stopped by daily for small talk, a cup of coffee, meal or just a hug. Like all Italian mothers, Agnese ruled the house with a velvet glove on one hand and a wooden spoon in the other! Which earned her the nickname of ‘Feisty Aggie’ from the grandchildren.

She loved her weekly breakfasts with the ‘girls’ at Cracker Barrel in Clifton Park and their jaunts to Maine for long weekends. Her favorite times were vacationing at Wildwood, NJ, with all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Family was everything to Agnese and she cherished all their time together.  With the dawn of technology, it was even better visiting with the family as they began to scatter across the country. She woke up every morning scanning Facebook to ‘talk’ with the family.

In addition to her parents, Agnese is predeceased by her husband, William J. Franco, her grandmother, Christina Romano and her brother, Lldano DiTrapano.

She is survived by her brother V. Charles DiTrapano (Debra) of Ephrata, Pennsylvania; her children, Paul (MaryAnn) Franco of Worcester, MA, Michael W. Franco of Westville, NJ and Lisa (Timothy) Gaffney Sr., of Rotterdam, NY; and her devoted and loving niece Roseanna Roccisano of Schenectady NY. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Maria (Michael) Alden, Teresa (Michael) Verity, William, Peter, Anthony Franco all of Massachusetts, Diana (Ryan) Galluppi of Austin, TX, Stephanie and Courtney Franco of Westville, NJ, Timothy (Jessica), Gaffney, Jr., of Glenville, NY, Katherine Gaffney of Florence, KY, and Cpl. Aryn Elizabeth Gaffney of Honolulu, HI. Her great-grandchildren, Annalise, Luke, Cecila, Zachary, Lorenzo, Romeo, Olivia, Amara, Evelyn and Nolan as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Agnese’s family would like to give a special thank you to the guardian angels of Ingersoll Place.  Ingersoll is a very special place and the people there became part of our family.  They are not only there for the residents, but also for the families.  We appreciate the many hugs, conversations, prayers, and the general acceptance there. Regardless of how ill our mother was, there was never a conversation about moving her elsewhere – this was her home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Agnese’ favorite charities, St. Jude’s Children Research, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Shriners Hospital for Children,2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, Smile Train, 633 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

All services will be held at a later date and further information will follow. Arrangements by DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, Rotterdam. Condolences can be posted at demarcostonefuneralhome.com.