Anthony John DiFranco

ANTHONY JOHN DiFRANCO, age 81, passed away on April 19, 2026.  Beloved husband of Dawn C. Rogers DiFranco; loving father of Renee DiFranco Thayer-Allison (Michael Allison), Denise DiFranco (fiancé Jeffrey Lipnick), and Charlotte DiFranco; dear grandfather of A.J. DiFranco, Cassie Anderson (Brennon), Alex Thayer (fiancée Michaella Deming), Mikey Allison, Troy Teller, Jolene Teller and Sophia Allison; cherished great grandfather of Aiden, Amelia, Emersyn, Callie, Elaina, Penelope, and Violet; brother of Dominic DiFranco (JoEllen) and the following deceased, Angela Talbort and Rocco DiFranco (MaryRose); beloved cousin, uncle and great uncle of many.  Anthony’s family would like to thank the angels of hospice and the private care givers that helped and cared for him.

In his early years, he grew up in his grandparents’ duplex at 3782 East 144th before migrating to Richmond Heights to the family home where endless hours were spent in The Garage building, fixing, and restoring countless vehicles with his brothers, cousins, and best friends. Graduating from Max S. Hayes High School, he began his professional career as a diesel mechanic before returning to continue his education, earning two associate degrees in Computers and Business, followed by a Master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University in Organizational Development. He spent the duration of his career in IT and computer management roles.

He met the love of his life, Dawn, married, and settled in Lyndhurst, raising three daughters and staying close to The Garage continuing to work on his lifelong passion - classic cars and motorcycles. After retiring in 2002, they relocated to Sagamore Hills, where he spent the remainder of his life. 

Throughout his years, Catholic Italian family values were core to his soul. Proudly carrying on the DiFranco family tradition of escorting and carrying the beloved Blessed Virgin Mary statue in the processions at the annual Holy Rosary Feast of the Assumption in Little Italy.

While his accomplishments and achievements are innumerable, his family was always his greatest priority. He took immense pride in helping his daughter raise three of his grandchildren, often chauffeuring them to school, skateparks, snowboarding trips, and softball games. He never missed an opportunity to be present in the lives of all his grandchildren—whether attending car shows, birthdays, graduations, or simply enjoying joyrides and country drives to the ice cream shop. His love extended beyond his family to his beloved pets and neighbors, and the neighborhood kids, always keeping a watchful and caring eye.

His quips, quick wit and sense of humor always softened the harshest of circumstances, all the way to his last days. “You make a better door than a window.” “Don’t run to the store, take the car.”  “Your choice, your consequence.” “Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?” “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. But if you do, call me.”

There was never a challenge he backed away from, and his support and generosity for those he loved never wavered. His strength, tenacity, and ability to fix anything will always inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him. 

Friends may call at THE FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME, 356 WEST AURORA RD. (OH RT 82), SAGAMORE HILLS FOR VISITATION ON FRIDAY FROM 4-8 P.M. Funeral Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 a.m. at St. Barnabas Catholic Church. Interment All Souls Cemetery, Chardon, Ohio.

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