Giovanni De Francesco

Giovanni De Francesco, age 98, died peacefully on December 29, 2025, just six weeks after the death of his beloved wife, Anna De Francesco, to whom he was married for 66 years.

Born in Messina, Italy, on November 25, 1927, Giovanni was the son of the late Salvatore De Francesco and Antonina Balsama. Growing up in Messina, he cultivated his aptitude for farming, hunting, and his love for the outdoors. In his twenties, he moved to the United Kingdom where he learned English and added to his farming skills. Self-motivated to provide for his growing family and having an entrepreneurial spirit, he started his own delivery business upon returning to Italy in the early 1960’s. The business supported the growing local economy by supplying beverage products to cafes and construction materials for new building projects. Hoping for a better future for his family, he later emigrated to the United States in 1967 where he worked for many years in construction. He settled in Belmont with his family, where he made his home for more than 50 years. In more recent years, he resided in Danvers.

He was passionate about his garden, and spending time hunting—pursuits that reflected his patience, skill, and appreciation for the outdoors. He took pleasure in sharing the abundance from his garden harvests with family and friends.

He leaves his daughter, Antonina and her husband Douglas, his daughter, Maria, and his son Salvatore and his wife Kimberly, eight grandchildren, Sabrina and her husband Michael, Steven, Erica, Ashley and her husband Kenneth, Micaela and her husband William, Stefani, John, and Joseph, his step grandchildren Camden and Palmer, great grandchild, Logan, and many nieces and nephews. The eldest of eight children, three siblings survive him.

He loved his family and friends very much and was loved in return. He will be greatly missed.

His Funeral Service will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. Visiting hours will be held prior to the service Wednesday morning from 10-11AM in the funeral home. Burial will be in Annunciation Cemetery, Hobart Street, Danvers. Online directions and condolences are available at www.LyonsFuneral.com.