Ronald J. Franzoni, 88

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —  Ronald Joseph Franzoni, 88 of North Adams died on Friday, April 5, 2024 at North Adams Commons. He was born in North Adams on June 22, 1935, a son of the late Claudio Geno Franzoni and Delia (Morin) Franzoni.

Ron attended Haskins School and graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1954. He was the proud owner operator of the Mohawk Tavern in North Adams for forty-five years, before retiring in 2013. He also owned Zachary’s NiteClub in Lake George for ten years, and prior to the Mohawk Tavern purchase, he owned and operated Ronnie’s Grill in North Adams for a decade. Ron and Barbara owned multiple rental properties in the community over many years. A hard worker from a young age, he was also employed at Brightwater Paper, Sprague Electric and Hunter Machine Company. For many years, he was a limited partner in Valley Park Lanes, where he worked as well in the evenings after a full work day at the Mohawk.

Ron was a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church and Saint John Paul. He loved to bowl and was a champion candlepin bowler holding many house records at Valley Park, proudly and successfully appearing on television multiple times competing against the best bowlers in the state. In his later years, he was a familiar face in the community, always sitting outside his establishment (Mohawk Tavern), attending basketball games his son coached at McCann, Williams, and Drury, and sitting on the porch at North Adams Commons.

Ron leaves his wife of sixty years, Barbara Anne (Drotter) Franzoni whom he married on June 22, 1963. He also leaves his son, John R. Franzoni and his wife Ellen of North Adams, as well as two daughters, Diana Murphy of South Glens Falls, NY and Deborah O’Neill and her husband Steven of Queensbury, NY; 5 grandchildren, Sara Murphy, Dillon Murphy, Ryan O’Neill, Kendall O’Neill and Blair O’Neill; three step-grandchildren, Tonia, David, and Jared Nicholas; seven great grandchildren; and a sister, Judith Franzoni of Williamstown

FUNERAL NOTICE: A Funeral to Celebrate the life of Ronald Joseph Franzoni will be Tuesday April 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS WEST CHAPELS, 521 West Main St. North Adams, MA. Calling hours at the funeral home are Tuesday morning from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The family wishes to thank the staff at North Adams Commons for the exceptional and compassionate care provided to Ron over the past five and half years--even on his salty days. The family would also like to thank Hospice of the Berkshires for their support and care. Ron loved dogs and donations may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society in his memory in care of the funeral home. To add to the book of memories please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.