Victor A. Franzese

Victor A. Franzese

Aged 81, passed away August 28, 2021 at his home in Watkins Glen, NY

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 58 years Linda (Pandick) Franzese, his daughter Nancy (Gino Grassi) Franzese of Watkins Glen, son Andrew Franzese of Watkins Glen and son Adam ( Rhonda) Franzese of Lexington, SC; his grandchildren Victoria (Jordan) Young, Samantha (Kurtis) Dunn, AJ (Sadie) Harrison, Joseph Sutterby, and Brayden Franzese; Great-Grandchildren Avrum, Ezra, and Toby Young, Elaine and Luke Dunne, and soon to arrive baby Harrison; his brother-in-law Tom(Debbi)Pandick: his siblings Patrick(Barbara)Franzese, Christopher(Angeline)Franzese, Vallerie Franzese-Lynch, and Elizabeth Franzese. He was the son of the late Joseph J. and Helen (Baccile) Franzese

Having been raised in the family motel business and graduating from SUNY Delhi’s inaugural Hotel Management Program, he became the owner of Glen Motor Inn with his wife in 1990. He served on numerous business associated boards and committees throughout his career. He was a past president of the then Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce, chairmen of the then Schuyler County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA), served on the Watkins Glen Tomorrow Project and the board for the Finger Lakes Association. He was a positive influence for many as an employer and business owner.

He fell in love with car racing at the age of 8 after having a ride in Tommy Coles Cadillac-Allard. He attended the first street race in 1948, spectating from the front row with his parents. He spent the rest of his life as a driver and team owner for various types of race cars. He fielded a competitive team, Glen Racing Limited, in the original Canadian-American Challenge cup series in 1970 &71 with sponsorship from Great Western Champagne. This association led him to be part of the marketing team for Great Western whereby he poured the champagne in the Victory Lane at Watkins Glen International for many drivers. He competed in numerous series for SCCA, IMSA, HSR, and SVRA. He received a stone in the Watkins Glen Drivers Walk of Fame in 2010. He has served the international racing world in so many ways over his lifetime, too numerous to list.
He was a proud member of the exclusive social club, The Boot Group.

His favorite organization to donate was to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Other organizations are the International Motor Racing Research Center and St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church in Watkins Glen.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, September 1 at Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, Watkins Glen from 4pm-7pm. A funeral mass will be Thursday, September 2 at 11am at St Mary’s of the Lake Church. You may visit his obituary at RoyceChedzoy.com to share a memory of Vic with his family and friends.