Francis Dominic Defrancis

Francis Frank Dominic DeFrancis, 83, of Urbana, died on March 11, 2015 in Mercy McAuley Center, Urbana. Born on May 17, 1931 in Madrid, Spain, he was the son of Dominic and Mary (Strapp) DeFrancis. Paquito, as he was then called, lived with his family in Spain, Portugal, and Cuba before returning to Urbana, where he attended St. Marys High School. He graduated summa cum laude from Xavier University, served as a US Navy Supply Officer at the conclusion of the Korean War, and subsequently earned an M.B.A. at Wharton and J.D. at Salmon Chase College of Law. His business ventures varied widely over many years before he settled once again in Urbana. He is survived by five children, Elizabeth Allen, Dominic DeFrancis, Anne Piatka, Susan Lowder, and Victor DeFrancis, his former spouse Dolores DeFrancis, and his brother Anthony DeFrancis. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Elizabeth Lebkisher and Margaret Nina Mortensen, and his close friend, Debra Thomas. Family will receive friends at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2015 in the WALTER & SMITH FUNERAL HOME, Urbana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday in St. Mary Catholic Church, Urbana, with Father Larry Gearhart, celebrant. Burial will follow in Oak Dale Cemetery, Urbana. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy McAuley Center, 906 Scioto St., Urbana, OH 43078. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.walterfunerals.com.