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, and many
friends he considered family. When you remember him kindly,
please raise a glass in his honor.
