Joseph Franklin

Joseph Patrick Franklin, Age 69 of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania,  passed away on July 2, 2022 after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family. Joe was “born to be wild” on March 14, 1953. Joe would often brag that he was “Born, bred, and fed in Detroit”, the oldest son and second of seventeen amazing children of William and Mary Franklin. Joe graduated from St. Mary of Redford High School and received a Bachelor of Science in packaging engineering from Michigan State University.

In his childhood Detroit farmhouse, Joe shared one bathroom with eighteen family members. The Franklin home was a haven for neighborhood children; they played in the expansive backyard until the street lights came on. In his teens and early 20’s, Joe earned money for college by assembling Bumpy Cakes in the Sanders factory and laboring nights in the local Pepsi Cola factory.

At Michigan State University, Joe’s Pepsi Cola connection proved fortuitous. He bribed his future wife Kathleen (Katy) Bauer for a first date with a case of Pepsi. They became inseparable. In addition to his engineering studies, Joe helped establish the folk and blues Mariah Coffeehouse at McDonel Hall. When the Red Cedar River flooded in 1975, destroying his car and textbooks, Joe took this as a definitive sign to hit the road and pursue his love of music.

During his rock and roll touring years, Joe worked as a roadie and technician for Marshall Tucker and Daryl Hall and John Oates. Joe created a lifetime of memories while living on tour buses. He criss-crossed the United States, often hitting fifteen venues in one month. Over the years, Joe loved to regale family and friends with wild anecdotes of the road. He enthralled small audiences with tales of casual meetings with legends like Bruce Springsteen, Robert Palmer, Santana, and Jerry Garcia.

But Joe’s life wasn’t all rock and roll. Tired of traveling and missing his future wife, he returned to Michigan State and completed his packaging degree. Joe and Katy married in 1981 and settled in Detroit. Joe joined General Dynamics as a packaging engineer the same year. To advance his career, Joe leapt at the opportunity to design a packaging lab for ARCO Chemical in Pennsylvania. Katy and their 9-month son Michael followed. In 1987, the family was devastated when Joe’s second son James Patrick died at 6 weeks old. Two years later, Joe and Katy rejoiced at Joe Junior's safe arrival. In his professional life, Joe’s ARCO division was spun off to create JSP International. After several years, Joe was recruited by QVC to manage packaging operations across a multitude of product lines.

At home, Joe and Katy followed the Franklin motto of “There is always room for one more.” Joe made Michael and Joey’s friends feel like part of the family. With video games blaring and cables strewn across the house, Joe called out his signature line as he climbed the stairs to bed, “Don't burn the house down.” Michael and Joey treasure memories of time spent together - attending six OzzFests, winning the First Grade egg drop competition, Pinstripe and Peach bowls, Pinewood derbies, and home improvement projects. Joe also loved seeing his boys start families of their own. Swelling with pride and emotion, Joe showed pictures of his grandchildren Cecilia Noel and James Paul to anyone who was slightly interested.

In recent years, Joe and Katy enjoyed summers at their cottage in Caseville, Michigan, where they welcomed friends and family. Joe and Katy celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2021, watching a glowing orange sunset over Lake Huron.

Joe’s ultimate legacy is one of kindness. Joe loved people - he stopped to change strangers’ flat tires; he bought coffee for people behind him; he donated to numerous local and international charities; he bought gas for people who needed help; and he volunteered at the Phoenixville Art Center. Joe held his friends close and would do anything for them. Joe maintained enduring relationships with his brothers and sisters through frequent calls and visits. Joe’s love for Katy remains unconditional; a 49-year love story.

“We said we’d walk together, baby, come what may; That came the twilight should we lose our way;

If as we’re walking a hand should slip free; I’ll wait for you, should I fall behind wait for me.”

- Bruce Springsteen

In Joe’s memory, please perform an unsolicited act of kindness or donate to educate Detroit children in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics at www.MotorCitySTEAM.com.

Joe is survived by his wife Katy, his sons Michael Joseph Franklin (Sarah DeFeo) and Joseph Patrick (Lisa) Franklin Jr., grandchildren Cecilia Noel and James Paul, and 15 siblings Mary (Tom) Wieske, William (Judy) Franklin Jr., Anthony (Christine) Franklin, Ann (Dan) O’Connell, Mike (Mary Anne) Franklin, John (Brenda) Franklin, Marguerite (Dave) Kimball, Helen Franklin, Richard (Tammi) Franklin, Paul Franklin (Jean-Paul Florentin), Jeanne Franklin, Steve (Erin) Franklin, Phillip Franklin, Linda (Darin) Miller, and Edward (Audree) Franklin as well as 39 nieces and nephews and their 15 children. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Mary Franklin, his sister Patricia, and his son James Patrick.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 20 at the Miller Road Chapel Sharp Funeral Home in Swartz Creek, MI. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 am at the same location. A video link will be provided for those who cannot participate in-person. Inurnment will be at Old Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in Ann Arbor. Following inurnment, family and friends will gather for a Celebration of Joe’s Life.