February 20, 1945 – April 15, 2019
George Fredrick Franklin, Jr was a loving and beloved father and grandfather. He died peacefully in his sleep at home in Apache Junction, Arizona.
George is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Judith Franklin. They held each other’s hands and told each other they loved each other every day of their lives. George is also survived by his daughter, Barbara Fuller (Wayne); daughter Carrol Franklin and granddaughters Caitlyn and Ashley; son David Franklin (Katie ) and grandsons Liam and Brayden; and daughter Sandra Franklin and granddaughters Britney and Courtney. His children and grandchildren all reside in Arizona. He is survived by his brother Al Franklin of Florida and sister Helen Aquilina (Paul) of Pennsylvania.
George is predeceased by his parents, George Fredrick Franklin, Sr and Helen Rose Franklin, and his brother James Franklin, all of New Jersey. He is also predeceased by his granddaughter Amber Smith.
George was a retired Boilermaker from Local 28 after 38 years, a job which he loved. He was a real life MacGyver, and a jack of many trades. He always worked hard to provide a wonderful life for his family. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tell tall tales, although he did not have much of a poker face. He was a big fan of Home Depot, much to his wife’s chagrin. Most trips to Home Depot included a stop at his favorite hot dog cart, and a visit to the park to share them with the love of his life.
George was an avid Yankee fan, rarely missing a game. He enjoyed his wife’s cooking – baked spaghetti was his favorite. He loved watching reruns of his favorite westerns, including The Lone Ranger and Gunsmoke. He loved old cars and loved his 1987 Dodge Ram Truck, which he spent countless hours tinkering with. He was extremely proud of his wife, children and grandchildren. Family gatherings were a highlight of his life. He loved his family and enjoyed reminiscing about his past escapades, work, and family.
George was larger than life and a true hero to his family. He will be missed beyond measure.
I love you, Daddy! Life will never be the same without you! Thank you for giving me strength, love and support. You taught me to survive in this crazy world. Gave me the ability to be both mom and dad to my girls. You’ve always had my back and we’re the first one I called for advice on my latest project. I’m forever a daddy’s girl… your Sissamanda
I love you poppop thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the years, you shaped me and showed me how to be strong and work hard to achieve your goals. You taught me anything is possible when I put my mind to it and I love you so much, I wish I could see you again but eventually in a hundred years or so I most likely will. Thank you for all the lessons and smiles. Keep watching over us. I love you, and i know you would have said “See you later little girlie, love ya’s”
Daddy sorry it took me so long to comment, nothing I could say seemed to be adequate to be honest. I seem to be stuck on that day April 15, 2019 as if time has stopped there. When the logical part of my brain realized you had died a piece of my heart stopped also. Its so hard for me to grasp that you are gone and not coming back. I replay my life back as far as I can remember in my mind and see you there larger than life working on either a car, the house, the yard or just anything in general. I can hear your whistle or your songs you would sing as you worked. All I wanted to do was be around you no matter what you were doing, even if it meant that you would ‘put me to work’ while I was there. There was nothing that you couldn’t fix. I just wish you could fix my broken heart daddy, and I wish you could be here just one more day so that I could tell you just how much I love you, and how much I appreciated you for everything you have done for me in my lifetime and for all that you have done for my daughters. I know I will see you again someday daddy so I wont say good-bye .. I will say ‘See ya later Alligator’ love always, your Catrina aka Cat