Mike Franceschini

Mike Franceschini, a 32-year veteran of Lake Tahoe Unified School District, died May 24, 2017. He was 85.

In 1956, Mike moved to Lake Tahoe. He taught grades four, five and six at Al Tahoe, Bijou, and Tahoe Valley elementary schools in South Lake Tahoe between 1956 and 1988.

He was president of the South Tahoe Educators Association for two years, patrol leader for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ski patrol for two years, and served as commodore of the Lake Tahoe Windjammers for two years.

Mike was born on Washington’s birthday in 1932 in Healdsburg to Myra and Mike Franceschini. His family moved to Newman in the San Joaquin Valley soon thereafter.  

In 1947, as a 15-year-old, Mike sailed to France to attend the World Boy Scout Jamboree in Brussels, Belgium, and while there, he saw the aftermath of World War II.

Mike skied on the College of the Pacific (UOP) ski team and majored in elementary education.

He served in the Army from 1954 to 1956 in Panama.

Mike moved to Ketchum, Idaho, upon retirement and skied daily until a few years ago. He was mentally sharp to the end, but his heart and lungs failed him. Mike died at Bell Mountain Care Facility in Bellevue, Idaho. 

Besides being an avid skier, rock climber, photographer, reader, conversationalist, and sailor, Mike was a soft hearted generous soul. 

Mike is survived by his younger brother, David Franceschini of Manteca; and niece Amy Franceschini of Oslo, Norway.

Mike’s ashes will be spread on Flying Squirrel on Mt. Baldy at Sun Valley.