Victor Bennett Francescon, Sr. was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 22, 1931, and passed peacefully on January 12, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee after a recent bout with Dementia.
Vic (Big Guy, Pappu, Dad), was a supportive and loving husband, father and grandfather who placed the well-being of his family above all else. His outgoing and friendly personality, along with his strong sense of loyalty, made him many life-long friends.
Vic moved to Nashville with his family at the age of one and grew up on Lyle Street, just a few blocks from Cathedral of the Incarnation, where he and his family were members for many years. He attended Cathedral School from Kindergarten through 8th Grade before moving on to Father Ryan High School.
Vic was a devout Catholic and lector at his adopted home church of St. Edward, where he volunteered for decades, serving on numerous committees through the years. His loyalty and allegiance to the people and institutions he served extended to his professional life as well, exemplified by his 38 year career as a mechanical engineer at Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company. He was most proud of having volunteered to serve in the Navy with his twin brother Sam during the Korean War.
Dad’s passion for life was embodied in his love of sports. He lettered in basketball and baseball at Father Ryan and went on to play baseball at MTSU, where he majored in mechanical engineering. After graduation, he played slow and fast-pitch softball in Nashville for many years. Adept at most positions, he was tabbed by The Tennessean Newspaper as a top pitcher in the fast-pitch Dixie League while batting both left and right-handed. He was also an avid golfer and fisherman who loved to float the Buffalo River, and a devoted Tennessee Volunteer football fan and season ticket holder.
And yet, there was one sporting activity that was more than a hobby for Dad; a passionate interest that transcended all others; an avocation that defined his core belief of treating everyone equally and fairly without special preference, and without exception; virtues that served him well as one of the most trusted and well-respected football and basketball referees in the state of Tennessee. Living out this passion, he officiated hundreds of high school football and basketball games as a member of the TSSAA for over 50 years, garnering numerous accolades and awards, culminating with his induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2010.
His personality was rooted in fairness and respect for the rules, whether in the workplace, society at large, or when playing a game.
Those who met and got to know Vic Francescon, even if for a brief time, never forgot him. When we were growing up in Nashville, everywhere our family went, it seems someone knew our Dad, and you could always tell they liked and respected him. His sons are forever grateful for the traits that Dad instilled in us by example; honesty, loyalty, a strong work ethic, and a passion to pursue our goals and always do our best. And to never give up, no matter what life throws at us.
Victor was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Patricia Ann Schey Francescon; his parents, Sam and Vincenza Francescon; his twin brother Sam and older brother Pete; and his much loved granddaughter, Maggie Francescon.
He is survived by his five sons; Ken Francescon (Kathy), Vic Francescon Jr., John Francescon (Jami), Tim Francescon (Katie), Greg Francescon; and his much loved grandchildren, Shelbie, Ben, Ashley, and Ella Jane Francescon.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Dementia Society of America at dementiasociety.org
Visitation will be on Sunday, January 28, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home, 201 25th Ave. N., Nashville TN 37203.
Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, January 29 at 10:00 a.m. with visitation prior to Mass from 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. at Cathedral of the Incarnation, 2015 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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