Worcester – Francis J. Cornacchioli, of Worcester, formerly of Auburn, died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, in his home with his family by his side, after a short and courageous battle with lung cancer. He was 70.
Born in Worcester on July 9, 1942, he was the son of the late Bruno and Mary (Patriarco) Cornacchioli. He graduated from Worcester Boys Trade. class of 1960. as a cabinet maker. He served our country in the Army National Guard.
His professional career included designing and building numerous displays at the Worcester Science Center, including exhibits in the African room. He retired this past summer from Exhibit Technology.
Fran's passions included many things outdoors; most especially, his love of fly fishing. As a fisherman, he remembered the words of Henry David Thoreau, “Many go fishing all their lives without knowing it is not the fish they are after.” He was a member of the Wantastiquet Trout Club in Weston, Vermont, and the New England Fly Tiers Association. He was also a professional wood carver and many of his pieces won awards. Fran was a proud Eagle Scout and Chief Order of the Arrow Troop 525.
Fran leaves his partner, Janet O’Connell, with whom he lived in Worcester; his daughters, Angela Cornacchioli Snell and her husband, Gerald Snell, and AnnMarie Wall and her husband, Russell Wall, all of Shrewsbury; his sister, Paula Derry and her husband, James, of Shrewsbury; his brother, Robert Cornacchioli and his wife, Deborah, of Worcester; four grandchildren Ariana, Annika, Diana and Russell, all of Shrewsbury; and four nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor and remember Fran's life by gathering for calling hours Friday, Dec. 28, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, and again at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, before leaving in procession to Saint Anne's Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, where his funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Saint John's Cemetery of Worcester.
Honor Fran's memory with a contribution to Boy Scouts Mohegan Council, 19 Harvard St., Worcester. MA 01609.
