Guest Book
Thinking of Franco fills me with love and gratitude.
He was like a second father to me—feeding me, loving me, parenting me, and welcoming me at first and then my own family as his own. From the very first day, May 1,1976, I felt completely and utterly part of the DeSantis family, and I carry that gift with me every day. ❤️
Franco was kind, humble, so humble, and had great gentle strength. He filled any room that he was in with a smile and most likely a joke (remember the penguin one?). He had a generosity of spirit and a selflessness that always put others first. Franco along with Sandy and then Annamaria opened not only their home but also their hearts to me, and I am forever grateful for the countless memories we shared:
Weekend trips up to Massachusetts as children with a stop along the way for dinner at McDonalds on Friday night.
Our “first” date with Annamaria as we ALL piled in his van to Villa Bianca! Family visits, family dinners,(brie pasta, and Putanesca come to mind), Celebrations and trips to Atlantic City in the van are only a snippet of the life we shared. The fun we had! Long conversations at the table, and moments of pure joy and delight.
Franco made my life richer in so many ways, and I know that legacy of love and warmth will live on in each of you—and in me. I hope you find comfort in knowing how deeply he touched so many lives, how loved and respected he was, and that his spirit will continue to be with us.
I will forever remember and cherish the almost 50 years of life memories.
With all our love and deepest sympathy,
Donna and Steven DiBlasio
Bridget, Marc and Chase
Donna DiBlasio
Rest in peace, dear friend. My world is brighter for knowing you.
Sylvia Temple
Dad,
I'm still having trouble with the past sense, and I don't like seeing your picture on this page. For now, I want to believe that I will see you next weekend and hold your hand. You've been so much a part of me for so long that it will take a while to let you go. But 40 years is a long time for mom to be resting alone without you by her side, so I find peace in knowing that you are together again. I love you dad, and I will miss you so much. Thank you for all that you did and all that you were.
With my deepest love,
Antonietta
Antonietta Tarnell Cotcamp
Franco, you will always be in our hearts.
You will always be our best example and pride.
Femilia Frias.
Humberto Frias.
Nonno, I will miss you so much. You had this way of lighting up every room just by saying my name—“Sandra”—in your warm, unmistakable accent. I can still hear it. Some of my happiest memories are from our walks when I was little, and getting back to your house while you’d rest your eyes on the couch as Reagan and I were downstairs, absolutely hypnotized by whatever computer game we could get to work on your basement desktop. You always made sure we were well-fed (and then some), and your pride in me was something I felt so deeply—especially when you’d parade me around Fairview, introducing me to your friends like I was royalty. “This is my granddaughter!” you’d say with the biggest smile, then gently scold me for not having a car in Boston so I could come visit more often. You were my last living grandparent, and saying goodbye to you feels like the end of a chapter I never wanted to close. But what a beautiful chapter it was—one filled with love, stories, good food, and the kind of joy only a Nonno can give. Thank you for every walk, every smile, every plate of food, and every memory. I’ll carry them with me always.
Ti amo, Nonno. Rest peacefully. 💛
Love,
Sandra
Sandra Tarnell
Humble. Kind. Gentle. Funny. Generous. Selfless. I can go on and on.
I have such great memories of you Uncle Frank that I will cherish forever. You made my life better in so many ways. I’m blessed to have had such a great uncle.
Johnny
Mr. Desantis ( though I know you told me to call you Franco - I have way too much respect to call you Franco.) - when I look back at memories of my teen years , I I see you.
You were always around when we came by to hang out with Dave - always looking out for us - feeding us always a good word. You always had a warm smile and made us feel welcome in your home. You treated us like we were your own.
I am fortunate to have known you. You were
(And ALWAYS WILL BE ) a great man in my eyes. Thank you for being you.
I hope you are resting in peace and paradise - you surely deserve that.
To the Desantis family … please accept my most sincere condolences.
Brian Becker and family.
One quote about grief that I think about often is, “She said she usually cried at least once each day, not because she was sad, but because the world was so beautiful and life was so short.” How lucky we are to have known such a wonderful man!! Uncle Frank radiated kindness, joy, and love in every interaction. He built a beautiful family and community, one that will carry his spirit forward in both the big moments and the small, everyday acts of care and connection. One story I’ll never forget happened a few years ago, when someone from my high school class (who I hadn’t spoken to in years) reached out to say: “I just met your Uncle Frank at Fairview! I was visiting a relative, and he struck up a conversation with me. Once he realized we had a mutual connection, he lit up and started talking all about you, all of your cousins, and the rest of your family.” That moment captured so much of who he was…warm, welcoming, proud of his loved ones, and always great at making a new friend!! Uncle Frank and his siblings have taught me so much about sacrifice, love, and what it truly means to treasure family. We will all miss him deeply, but his legacy will live on in the way we treat others, love one another, and show up for our people.
Talia Pantaleo
One quote about grief that I think about often is, “She said she usually cried at least once each day, not because she was sad, but because the world was so beautiful and life was so short.” How lucky we are to have known such a wonderful man!! Uncle Frank radiated kindness, joy, and love in every interaction. He built a beautiful family and community, one that will carry his spirit forward in both the big moments and the small, everyday acts of care and connection. One story I’ll never forget happened a few years ago, when someone from my high school class (who I hadn’t spoken to in years) reached out to say: “I just met your Uncle Frank at Fairview! I was visiting a relative, and he struck up a conversation with me. Once he realized we had a mutual connection, he lit up and started talking all about you, all of your cousins, and the rest of your family.” That moment captured so much of who he was…warm, welcoming, proud of his loved ones, and always great at making a new friend!! Uncle Frank and his siblings have taught me so much about sacrifice, love, and what it truly means to treasure family. We will all miss him deeply, but his legacy will live on in the way we treat others, love one another, and show up for our people.
Talia Pantaleo
From Italo de Santis and family our condolences.
Italo, Anna, John, steven
Dad, I am going to miss you dearly but have so many good memories with you coming to my house with Anna Maria for taco night, or us going to your place in Uxbridge to fix your IPad and stay for wine and some yummy food that Anna Maria prepared for us. I’ll remember those care packages that we would bring home like we went to the supermarket. I’ll miss hearing you sing at Fairview with all your friends there. And so many more memories that I will carry with me and use to talk about my dad with such pride and joy. I love you forever dad. Your son David.
David
Dad, I am going to miss you dearly but have so many good memories with you coming to my house with Anna Maria for taco night, or us going to your place in Uxbridge to fix your IPad and stay for wine and some yummy food that Anna Maria prepared for us. I’ll remember those care packages that we would bring home like we went to the supermarket. I’ll miss hearing you sing at Fairview with all your friends there. And so many more memories that I will carry with me and use to talk about my dad with such pride and joy. I love you forever dad. Your son David.
David
To my lovey, happy Nonno,
Much like you to family events, your death came far earlier than we had expected (haha!). I say this fully knowing that even a lifetime would not be enough time with you. Though you endured profound loss and hardships that nobody should ever have to experience, you managed to turn it into a productive, lifelong mission to fully feel others' joy. If love were currency, you would have been wildly rich, and then immediately broke, because, like everything else you owned, you gave it away freely. Generosity was your nature and anyone lucky enough to have met you knew that to be true. To have known you is to have loved you, and to have known you is to have been loved by you. I will remember you when I eat food off of the floor or a sandwich that sat in the car for a liiiittle too long (nobody ever died!), when I see anything labeled "free" (anybody need any greeting cards??), when I eat a delicious meal surrounded by the people I love, and when I see someone doing something kind for another person, simply because we are all just people trying to find our way in this complicated world. Your legacy of warmth, strength, love, and generosity is certainly not one to be forgotten. I carry it with me each day, and I hope to honor it by embodying those same qualities as I move forward in my own life. I miss you like crazy. But in my heart, I find peace knowing you're in heaven, probably playing Italian music from an iPad speaker, a glass of red wine in hand, dancing with your wives, friends, family members, and all those who left this earth too soon. I love you. I'll see you again soon.
Love, Averina
Avery Boice
My grandfather was one of the kindest men I’ve ever met. I can only hope to continue to live my life the way he lived his, with compassion for others. Some of the fondest memories of my childhood involve my Nonno “resting [his] eyes” on the couch when he was meant to be watching my siblings and me, or when he would give me an unpeeled orange wrapped in a paper towel he had in his pocket (for who knows how long). I will miss and love you forever and always, Nonno. I’m sorry I stole your ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ DVD. All my heart,
Reagan Boice
Sorry to hear of Franco’s passing. I met Franco when my parents moved into Fairview. He was always so helpful. Such a kind man. Always enjoyed talking with him. His presence is surely missed at Fairview. Thoughts and Prayers for all of you at this time. Liz Trudeau
Liz Trudeau
To the DeSantis family,
Condolences for the loss of your father. May he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Melissa Krinsky Cesaria
Uncle frank, you always made everyone smile, no matter the place or moment! Your light brought so much positivity and warmth to every room you entered and that will never be forgotten. I feel so lucky to have known someone that made the world brighter just by being in it! I’ll miss you!
Tessa Pantaleo
Franco, we will miss you. You were a kind man. You were a good father, a good grandfather and a great friend. You will always be remembered for your joy and care for everyone around you. You will not be forgotten.
Silvio Vieira
Zelita Vieira
Silvio Vieira - Zelita Vieira
To all of Mr. Desantis’s family,
We are so sorry to learn of your dad’s/granddad’s passing. We always enjoyed spending time with him and Ana Maria. He loved his family and he was so proud of you all—it was evident in his eyes if not his words. May he rest in peace with his beloved. We will miss his smile and kindness.
Maria, Mark, Sofia and Lucas
Maria Costa-Alano
I’ll miss you, Mr. Desantis, er Franco. ❤️ “Mr. Wonderful” and I will always remember your kind heart and infectious smile. Rest well. 🙏
Carol and Gary Rosenberg
My love, prayers and condolences to the family. Franco was a man who loved life and his family was his entire life. We have lost a wonderful man who will never be forgotten.
Carol Gavelis
Uncle Frank, My heart is hurting so much knowing that you're not longer with us. I wish that I had one more chance to see you. I will always treasure and hold so very dear ALL of the wonderful memories that we've shared. Your kind and gentle soul makes you a one in a million uncle! Give my love to Aunty Sandy, Anna Maria, Nonina, Nonno Fabio, Uncle Joe, Zia Ceca and Uncle Peter. I love you always and forever.
Your niece,
Teresa Usher
Pops, you will always be in my heart and my soul. Your loving son Anthony.
F. Anthony DeSantis