Franky Santori

Francisco Antonio Santori July 22, 1945 - August 20, 2024 Francisco Antonio Santori, also known as Franky, transitioned peacefully in his own home in the care of his loving wife, Judith Karen Howington Santori (Judy) Tuesday August 20, 2024 at approximately 4:30 PM EST at the age of 79 years old. His succumbed to his 35 year battle with heart disease and its associated complications. He is survived by his wife, Judy, and three children Francis Joseph Santori (55), Melody Angelique Brown (54), and Fredrick Anthony Santori (52), six grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, one great grandchild, his brother Emilio José Santori, and sister Libia Santori. Franky was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on July 22, 1945 to his parents Francisco (Paco) and Maria. In 1965 he left Puerto Rico to enlist in the U.S. Air Force after attending the University of Puerto Rico. He was stationed in Warner Robins, Ga after several stations across the U.S. and it there that he met his wife-to-be, Judith Santori in 1967. Less than a year later they were married and they gave birth to their first son, Francis Joseph Santori in 1969. During the few years living between GA and Puerto Rico, he and Judy had two more children and in 1971 the family moved to their first home in Milledgeville, GA. Franky had accepted a position at Georgia Power Plant Harlee Branch as a chemist and foreman in the water treatment laboratory, after working on land survey crews in the area. By the early mid 70’s he began supplementing his income as very gifted taxidermists in the area and as his talent in the art gained local recognition, he and Judy began building their business, Baldwin Trophies & Taxidermy in 1974. Today that business is still operating and is Sinclair Custom Awards & Designs. Soon after the business began gaining traction, Franky dropped taxidermy as a service to pursue graphic design for screen printing and vinyl graphics, thus expanding the range and prosperity of the business he and had Judy built together. In the early 90’s he was forced into retirement from Plant Harlee Branch after more than 20 years of service. He continued building the screenprinting and vinyl graphics side of the business but slowly began winding down his role there in the mid 2000’s. After retiring from the business, he spent much of his time improving and maintaining the home he had raised his family in until physical limitations from his heart condition eventually prevented it. It is here where he peacefully passed on Tuesday August 20, 2024. Of course, there is much more to his story than these dates and events. He very much loved his family. He will be remembered for his pride of his heritage, his love, tireless work and dedication for his family and friends, his sense of humor and his desire to connect with those who came to know him. He will be sorely missed. Services are scheduled for September 12, 2024. More details will become available as the event draws near. A Service will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 2 PM in the Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Milledgeville. The family will receive friends at Williams from 1 PM until the service time.