Franco A. Ghilardi, 59, of Springfield, former longtime resident of Drexel Hill died December 6, 2018 at Crozer Keystone Hospice in Ridley Park.

Born and raised in Upper Darby he was a member of the class of '77 at Upper Darby High. Franco was a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America 1980. He worked as a chef at the Town Crier in Upper Darby where he met his wife Joanne Walsh. He later served as Chef at Longwood and Lincoln Center in NY. He retired his culinary role to spend more time with his family and worked in the home remodeling and construction field.

Franco worked for Henkels & McCoy and then started his own business. His illness made it difficult to continue so he went to work for Do it Best Hardware in Wayne. In recent years he would still put his culinary skills to work, hosting family gatherings with food to satisfy a hungry soul.

Another of his passions was owning and restoring old cars and he currently has a 1955 Chevy Nomad. In his free time he enjoyed working on his car, wood working, reading and especially time at the beach with family.

He was the beloved husband of Joanne (nee Walsh); the father of Christina and Franco Ghilardi; Son of Lena and the late Giuliano Ghilardi, he is also survived by his sister Sandra Ghilardi.

Mass will be 10 am, Tues., at St. Dorothy's Church, Drexel Hill, where friends may call after 9 am.

Interment: SS Peter and Paul Cemetery.

Contributions in his memory may be made to:  www.thebuddypalforlifefund.org

Online condolences: www.Toppitzer.us