Bob and Mary Franchetto

A lifetime of community service is culminated in the induction of this year’s community leaders, Bob and Mary Franchetto.   Bob a 1956 graduate of Antioch High, met Mary while stationed at Fort Baker while serving in the U.S. Army.   Their rapid courtship and marriage brought them back to Antioch in 1964 when they purchased Cottage Florist from Bob’s parents.  They moved to their “A” Street location in 1967.

They began their service to the Antioch community while building a business and starting a family.   Bob served as secretary of the Quarterback Club and the commissioner of the Junior Football League while Mary served as President and Board member of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and a trustee of the Holy Rosary School Board.  Bob took over as president of the fledging Antioch Chamber of Commerce and quickly turned it around to a thriving organization.

Collectively they have served Holy Rosary Church in numerous capacities over the last 60 years including the Young Men’s Institute, Ushers Association, the holiday food drive and continue assisting the St. Vincent de Paul food collection and distribution to this day.   They have served on Antioch’s Centennial committee and Antioch’s US Bicentennial committee.   They were sponsors and Chairmen of the popular “Hiding the Medallion” contest.  They led and served on the Delta Western Days for many years as well as the Downtown Merchants Association and the Veteran’s Banner Committee.

They were honored twice by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce as Citizens of the Year in 1974 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 and named a lifetime member of the Antioch Historical Society. 

Since the inception of the Antioch Sports Legends program they have been worthy volunteers.   They have sponsored numerous youth and adult recreation teams throughout the year.  Bob and Mary have three children and six grandchildren.