Joseph Marion "Bobby" Franicevich

Joseph Marion “Bobby” Franicevich, 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 surrounded by his family in his daughter’s home in Lafayette, LA. Born in Biloxi, MS and raised in Ostrica, LA, Bobby was the eldest child of Bosco Franicevich of Yugoslavia and Mabel Atchison of Alabama. Friends and family called his father Bob, which is how Joseph came to be known as Bobby.
Bobby worked hard and solved problems even when there didn’t seem to be a solution. Despite having to leave a one-room schoolhouse to begin working at a young age, he never stopped learning and striving for success. When he was just a boy he ran wires from the neighboring oil company’s pole to his family home so they could have electricity. The company would disconnect his wires, but he’d put them right back until they finally gave up and left them. His first job was rounding up cattle on horseback, which might explain why he was such a big fan of classic country and old westerns.
In his early 20s Bobby was drafted into the United States Army to drive tanks in Korea. He loved driving anything and everything, from boats, cranes, dump trucks, and backhoes to his favorite Bobcat. His Bobcat could be used to accomplish almost any task. And for everything else there was aftershave. Bobby used a splash of Old Spice to cure mosquito bites, skinned knees, and broken toes.
When Bobby returned to Louisiana after his stint in the Army, he captained a tugboat named the Red Snapper and transported oilfield crews from Buras to Ostrica. He later expanded his business with three additional crew boats: the Mark I, the Mark II, and the AnnaMarie (named after his favorite people). His next venture was the Buras Machine Shop, followed by his greatest achievement, Joshua’s Marina, named after his grandson and later passed down to his son upon retirement. For almost 40 years Joshua’s has been a thriving marina and boat launch on the Gulf Coast.
Bobby was a volunteer firefighter, local softball champ, and member of the American Legion Post 193 and the Plaquemines South Rotary Club, where he served on the board for many years. Every December you could find him at Fort Jackson for the annual Orange Festival making Tako Toddies with his fellow Rotarians. He enjoyed attending auctions, where he would buy heavy machinery along with the occasional lot of random office equipment. After retiring, Bobby enjoyed going to casinos with friends and family. He loved using his comps to treat others to shows, buffets, and gambling. He made you laugh, told great stories, and entertained with parlor tricks usually involving a deck of cards and a box of matches. Bobby was always generous with his time, talents, and resources.
From everything said you might think that these accomplishments brought him the most joy, but as he told a hospice nurse during his final week, he lived for his grandkids. From the moment they were born he would make a pitstop on his way home from work to hold, feed, and play with them. He rarely missed a birthday or holiday, even driving hours to attend small events. He had strong “Paw-Paw” hands but a soft, kind heart. He is deeply loved and will be forever missed.
Bobby is survived by his dear friend, Charlotte Mareno; his daughter, AnnaMarie Rousse and husband, David; his son, Mark Franicevich; his grandchildren, Joshua Rousse and wife, Carley; Sarah Langlinais and husband, Luke; and Aaron Franicevich; his great grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Jackson Rousse; Claire, Camille, Clay and Cora Langlinais; his brother, Mark Franicevich; and his sister, Anna Zuvich and husband, Ronald. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bosco Franicevich and Mabel Atchison Franicevich; his sister, Liz “Betty” Cook and husband, Glen; and his brothers, James “Danny” Franicevich and Ivan Franicevich.
The family wishes to thank Bobby’s dear friends for all of their care and support, as well as the staff at Compassus Hospice, especially Dr. Kemp Coreil, Angela, Lisa, Kaleb, and Skyla.
Funeral services will be held at Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expwy., Harvey, LA on Monday, October 12, 2020 at 11 am. Visitation will be held from 9 am until 11 am. Burial will immediately follow the service with military honors being rendered at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, 1225 Whitney Ave., Gretna, LA. Family and friends may view and sign the online guest book at www.mothefunerals.com .