Paul William Franchina was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 26, 1948 and died in Guntersville, Alabama on
March 1st, 2020 at the age of 71.
Paul was raised in Watertown, Massachusetts by his parents Joseph and Cecilia Franchina and graduated from
Watertown High School in 1966. He went on to join the United States Navy in 1967 and served his country as a
Photographic Intelligenceman during the Vietnam era. After leaving the Navy in 1972, he pursued his education
back in his hometown of Boston, MA at Northeastern University, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in
Mechanical Engineering in 1979. He then moved to Orlando, Florida and started on a career path in the defense
industry where he made several major engineering contributions to many important United States Military defense
programs and industry all while pursuing and achieving a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1983 from
the Florida Institute of Technology.
However, the most important contributions that Paul made were to the lives of his family and loved ones. He was an
incredible leader to his family, a problem solver, and he analyzed every situation to produce the best possible
outcomes for all of them whenever he was called upon. He possessed an incredibly logical mind and steady
demeanor that made him the one that everyone in his family turned to when they needed solid advice or
assistance.
Paul is survived by his wife of 38 years Rose Franchina, his brother Alfred Franchina (Cheryl), his five children Eric
Mendis (Joleen), Christine Fingado (Brian), Sheila Chandler (Alan), Travis Mendis, Shannon Wolgang (Ryan), as well
as his eight grandchildren, Molly, Monica, Hunter, Skylar, Mark, Lauren, Arianna, and Ryder.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club in his name by
contacting www.VJMC.org
There are no services planned at this time.
