Antonio Franzese, 73, of Hilliard, FL, passed away on December 24, 2023 at his home following a lengthy illness. He passed late in the evening on Christmas Eve after his family was able to visit with him one last time. Antonio was born on January 22, 1950 in San Gennaro Vesuviano, Naples, Italy to Marianna Nunziata Franzese and the late Giuseppe Franzese. Antonio, together with his wife and children, moved to the United States in January 1990, and he was a proud and grateful resident of Hilliard for 33 years.

As a young man, Antonio attended trade school and received training as an electrician, a position at which he excelled his entire working life. He started working aboard Italian cargo ships, where he enjoyed traveling all over the globe, before transitioning to a career in plastics manufacturing, an industry in which he continued to work after relocating to the US. He retired in 2015 after working close to 20 years at Sanderson Pipe Corporation in Sanderson, FL.

Antonio was a hard worker and excelled in his career, but he was happiest tending to his grapes on his 10 acres in Hilliard. He devoted most of his spare time to his garden and his grapevines, and he meticulously made wine the old-fashioned way for his family and friends. His face would light up anytime he could show visitors around his vineyard, and he would beam with pride when they marveled at the fruits of his labor.

The only thing Antonio loved more than his grapes was his partner in life, his wife Marie. He supported her in everything they did, including sacrificing a stable and rewarding life in Italy in order to provide better opportunities for his family in the United States. Antonio was a man of few words, and never wore his heart on his sleeve, but when he did speak, he always expressed compassion, understanding, and thoughtful consideration, which is why he never made an enemy on this earth, and why his loved ones are eternally grateful for his unwavering devotion to his family.

Antonio is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Marie Franzese; his mother, Marianna Franzese; his children, Giuseppe Franzese, Michael (wife Rebecca) Franzese, Antonio (wife Rachel) Franzese, and Francesco (wife Macie) Franzese; siblings Carmelita Franzese, Assunta (husband Antonio) Romano, Luisa Franzese, Giulia (husband Gennaro) LaMarca, Sergio (wife Anna) Franzese, and Immacolata (husband Felice) Peluso; and the grandchildren that brought happiness to his final years, Scarlett, Luke, Violett, and Abby.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, December 29 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 700 Kingsland Drive, Folkston, GA 31537, followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 A.M. at the same location. Interment will follow at 1:30 P.M. at Arlington Park Cemetery, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, FL 32211.

Arrangements made by Arlington Park Funeral Home, Jacksonville, FL. Condolences may be
expressed at www.arlingtonparkfuneralhome.com.