Oct 3, 1932 – Sept 24, 2024
Rino Franceschini, age 92, formerly of Fort Frances, Ontario, passed away Monday, September 24, 2024, in Osoyoos, B.C., with his loving wife Annette (Hughes) by his side.
Rino retired as an automotive shop teacher at Fort Frances High School in 1989 and was well respected by many of his students for the motivation that he instilled in them towards learning a trade, many of whom fondly remember his unique (to say the least) method of teaching. Just one example of his dedication to students was when he assisted one, a then young 17-year old Tinker Helseth with the purchase of his first airplane (see book titled “Tinker’s Canada”). Rino was an avid aviator himself with both a Private Pilot’s License an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering License, owning numerous airplanes as well as operating a Flight Training School and other aviation operations out of the Fort Frances Municipal Airport.
Upon his retirement from teaching, he and his wife Annette sold their home in Fort Frances and their cabin on Hopkins Bay, Rainy Lake and relocated to Osoyoos, B.C. From there, they continued to enjoy many shared travel experiences together, most notably, their fishing excursions off the west coast of B.C.
Rino is survived by his loving wife Annette (Hughes), formerly of Fort Frances; his niece Donna; his nephews Brad Hughes of Fort Frances, David Hughes (wife Marie) of Emo, Ontario, and Hal Hughes (wife Marie) of Montreal, Quebec. Condolences can be sent via email to the following: halhughes@bell.net.
Rino will be laid to rest in the Barwick Cemetery at a date yet to be determined.
