Phillip J Franz's Obituary
Phillip J. Franz, 88, of Middleburg Heights, Ohio passed away on October 10, 2024. Phil is survived by his wife, Della (nee Jacobs); children, Phil (Jill) Franz, Scott Franz, and Kara (Brady Johns) Canterbury; grandchildren, Brianna (Mike Russell) Peck, Krysta (Ethan) Oberheu, Kendra (Josh Barnes) Canterbury, Kori Canterbury, and Robert Canterbury; great-grandchildren, Lilah Peck, Lina Peck, Ashton Oberheu, Kenna Canterbury, Hunter Collins, Tadhg Murphy, and Natalia Russell; sister, Jean Hoyer; nieces, Cheryl Wilson and Lisa (Randy) Nash; step-children, Richard (Jill) Schroth, Ronald (Adela) Schroth, Deanna (Manuel) Strefas; step-grandchildren, Rebecca Schroth, Benjamin Schroth, Matthew Schroth, Jenna (Stephan) Morris, Deamann (Carly Jones) Strefas and Mandee Strefas; and step-great-grandchild, Wesley Morris.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Muriel Franz (nee Atkins).
Phil is a 1955 graduate of John Marshall High School, where he excelled in track. His professional career saw him progress from stock boy at Kroger’s grocery to a rate clerk at New York and Penn Central Railroads and to retiring as Transportation Manager for BP Chemical after a long, successful career with the company.
Friendships were important to Phil. Over the years, he made it a point to maintain contact with many of his close friends from high school and his work career.
Phil enjoyed spending time with his family and frequently was a spectator at their many extracurricular activities. Phil was very proud of his family and enjoyed bragging about their accomplishments to anyone willing to listen.
As a young man, Phil had a successful professional motorcycle hillclimbing career, competing with his custom-made Harley hillclimber, throughout the northeastern US and Canada. Phil took numerous first place wins during his career and also placed 2nd in the US nationals on three occasions and 2nd in the Canadian nationals on one occasion. He was inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in 1989 as a result of his success in the sport.
Visitation will be held at Sunset Memorial Chapel, 6245 Columbia Road, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070 on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at Sunset Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., with burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Park.
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