Ernest "Ernie" Franko

Long-time barber Ernie Franko, 91, passed away peacefully Friday morning, July 13, 2018, at his home.

Ernie was very proud of his Greek heritage and greatly loved his family. He will always be remembered for his constant smile, his generous nature, and the fact that he "never met a stranger". He loved sports, his pets, beach vacations, dancing, and taking trips to the casino!

Ernie was born January 11, 1927, in Yorkville, Ohio, the youngest of six children born to Greek-immigrant parents, Andrew Deligiannis-Frangos (later changed to Franko) and Angella Savopoulos. He graduated from Yorkville High School Class of 1945 and later graduated from Briggs Lamar Barber College in Wheeling, West Virginia.
A WWII veteran, Ernie served as an MP at Sugamo Prison guarding Japanese General Hideki Tojo and other accused war criminals awaiting trial. After returning from Japan and working at Wheeling Steel and at barber shops in Yorkville and Warren, he eventually came to Alliance in the late 1940s. In Alliance, he continued his lifelong career as a barber at Franko's Barber Shop and then as the owner/operator of Ernie's Barber Shop. He cut hair for 70 plus years before retiring at the age of 90.

Ernie was a member of the St. George Romanian Byzantine Catholic Cathedral in Canton, Ohio, where he could embrace both religion and a strong ethnic connection. At St. George, he was a member of both the Senior Citizen's Club and the Carpathian Men's Club. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 166 and the Alliance BPO Elks.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Beverly Jane (Chapple) in 2009; his brothers Frank, Tom, and Jim Franko; and his sisters Bessie Vasilion and Irene Vrotsos. Ernie leaves behind to hold onto his precious memory his three children: Debbie (Johnnie) Maier, Cathy (Ken) Hoffman, and Mark Franko; grandchildren Johnnie Maier III, Natalie (Trevor) Meyer, Kenny Hoffman, and Ryan (Amanda) Hoffman; and great-grandchildren Peyton and Reese Hoffman. He will be deeply missed by his family, customers and many friends.

Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 6 to 8pm with a Saracusta service at 8pm at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian-Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Avenue, Alliance. Immediately preceding the funeral, there will be additional calling hours from 10am to 11am at St. George Romanian Byzantine Catholic Cathedral, 1121 44th St NE, Canton, OH 44714 with Very Rev. Ovidiu Marginean officiating. Burial will be at Fairmount Cemetery in Alliance.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ernie's name to St. George Romanian Byzantine Catholic Cathedral or to Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr. E, Uniontown, OH 44685.
Arrangements are entrusted to Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Ave. Alliance, Ohio 44601.