Franco was born in Minneapolis, MN, the eldest child of Frank and Beatrice Capriotti in January of 1950.  He graduated from Wayzata High School, Macalester College, and Hamline University School of Law. After Macalester, he co-founded a crisis telephone hotline service, Pooneil Corner, and then attended law school. After graduation and being called to the Minnesota Bar, he traveled extensively in Europe, finding his passion for international immigration law. 

 

He centered his life and practice in Portland, Oregon, and Minnesota. He loved skiing and the outdoors, was an avid photographer, and spent time with his parents at the family lake cabin in Outing, Minnesota. 

 

He was an active volunteer who coached swimming with athletes at the Special Olympics, was a guide for blind skiers through Ski for Light, and generously volunteered his legal services. He enjoyed sharing his love of the law and mentoring aspiring lawyers. He was an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College and a frequent guest speaker on Disability Law and Immigration Law. 

 

Above all, he loved his family and his family of choice. He expanded his vast network of friends through his many international clients whose lives were transformed by his expertise and generosity. He will be dearly missed.

 

He is survived by his sister, Pamela (John), his four nieces and five grand-nieces and nephews, his brother, Todd, his extended family of cousins, aunts and uncle, and many friends he considered family. When you remember him kindly, please raise a glass in his honor.  

Per his request, there will be no formal service.