Franics S. Lano
Age 84 of Newark

Passed away peacefully on December 20, 2025, with his loving family by his side

Fran was born on August 31, 1941, in Wilmington to Frances Vietri Lano and Ralph Lano, and grew up with a strong sense of community and faith. He began his education at St. Anthony's Elementary School and graduated from Salesianum High School in the Class of 1959. He later received a diploma from the Philadelphia Wireless Technical Institute.

Fran began his professional journey at Haveg Industries in Marshallton, Delaware, which was bought by Hercules Inc., and then by MacDermid, where he worked until his retirement. While working for Hercules, Fran was transferred to their Kalamazoo, MI office. While living there, he traveled to various customer locations in the Midwest, installing and instructing users on the Hercules Merigraph printing system. Never one to remain idle, Fran continued serving others post-retirement as a driver for ATI Physical Therapy, where he was affectionately known as "Van Fran".

A proud veteran of the United States Army, Fran was in the Army Signal Corps, stationed in Orleans, France, working in wireless radio communications. There he became interested in electronics, later becoming a HAM radio operator and a CB aficionado.

He was predeceased by his parents, and brothers Fred Lano, Fred's wife Shirley, and Rocco Lano.

Fran's life was deeply rooted in family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Patricia A. (Connor) Lano and their children Denise Lano (Carl Krauthauser), Christopher Lano (Jeanine Fusco-Lano), and Suzanne Lano. He is also survived by his brother, Angelo Lano (Judith), sister-in-law, Beverly Devlin Lano, sisters-in-law Joan Roach and Elaine Kucharski, his uncles Alfred Vietri and Joseph Vietri, and aunt, Anne Vietri Lohenitz. His cherished grandchildren include: Emily Carney (Justin), Stephanie Harris (Max), Alexandra Jeandell, Elizabeth Jeandell, Julia Lano, Sophia Lano, Margaret Krauthauser (fiancé Edward Masino), Sebastian Krauthauser (fiancé Kiy-Kiy Lloyd), Damian Krauthauser, Nathanial Krauthauser, and Miriam Krauthauser, and two great-grandchildren: Avery Carney and Oliver Harris. Fran has numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members here and in Canada, France, and Italy.

He had a passion for photography and was rarely seen without a camera or camcorder in hand, documenting countless family moments. On birthdays, loved ones could always look forward to receiving one of Fran's custom-made cards—each adorned with photos capturing memories from their lives. He was a proud and enthusiastic supporter of his children's and grandchildren's various sporting events and school band and chorus concerts.

An active member of the JayCees and an avid bowler earlier in life, Fran embraced opportunities to connect with others through community involvement. In his early years he served as an altar boy at St. Anthony's, and later as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Monica Catholic Church, Kalamazoo, MI and St. Anthony of Padua, Wilmington, DE. He worked in the kitchen at St. Anthony's Italian Festival and on Father's Day could be seen walking with the St. Rocco statue in the Italian Festival's Procession through the streets of Little Italy.

The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care and support provided by Dr. Dhaval R. Shah and Julia Murray, RN, with Christiana AccentCare Hospice whose dedicated staff brought comfort and peace to Fran and our family during his final days.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on January 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, 2431 Frazer Rd., Newark, DE 19702. Friends and family may call at the church from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Interment will take place privately at Delaware Veterans Cemetery at a later date.