Franco founded the agency that bears his name in 1964, and served as chairman and CEO until 1993. Prior to that, he served as director of public relations for two Detroit-area advertising agencies.

Franco was highly visible in Detroit business and civic communities, serving as chairman of numerous organizations, including the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce and WTVS- Channel 56 Public Television.

He also served on the advisory board of the United Way, the Hospice Foundation of Southeast Michigan and the board of directors for the Detroit Area Council Boy Scouts of America, Library of Michigan Foundation and the Michigan Historical Center Foundation.

Most recently, Franco made a substantial gift to St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, for the development of the state-of-the-art Anthony M. Franco Communications Center.

As a public relations practitioner, Franco was well known nationally, listed in the “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in Public Relations” directories. In 1991, he was named one of the nation’s top 100 public relations superstars by Public Relations Quarterly magazine.

“He was a maverick in the public relations industry,” said Daniel F. Ponder, CEO and 18-year employee of the firm. “Tony was larger than life. Even today, nearly nine years after Tony retired from Franco, when the company's name is mentioned during conversation, it’s not uncommon to have someone say, ‘I knew Tony,’ followed by a story of a meeting, a golf game or a charitable involvement.”

A resident of Oakland County, Franco was an alumnus of the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

Franco, who was 69, is survived by his wife, Melissa, nine children and nine grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The funeral is at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Kirk in the Hills, 1340 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills.

Top of page

Back to news release list