William Francis "Fran" Brezette
January 6, 1942 ~ May 27, 2018
William Francis “Fran” Brezette, Indianapolis, died on Sunday, May 27, 2018. Fran was born in Indianapolis a month after Pearl Harbor Day on January 6, 1942, to the late Marvin John and Frances Martin Brezette. After attending St. Thomas Aquinas grade school, he went to Cathedral High School, where he graduated in 1960. While at Cathedral, he co-captained the school’s first undefeated football team in 1959 and was named the All-City center. He then went on to the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated with a degree in finance in 1964. He then attended Xavier University and earned an MBA degree in 1965. Fran spent a career in financial management with American Fletcher National Bank, which later became Bank One and JPMorgan Chase, before retiring in 2006.
Fran is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joanne (Ford) Brezette and their children, Michael Brezette, Mary Beth (Ludovic) Aaron, Katie (Jordan) Riggs, Nancy (Christopher) Collins, Kevin (Leslie) Brezette and Jody Brezette; and grandchildren Henry Brezette, Phoebe Aaron, Maximus Aaron, Riley Riggs, Claudia Riggs, Hudson Riggs, Louie Collins, Parker Brezette, Hadley Brezette and Frankie Brezette, as well as numerous nephews and nieces and his loyal canine companion, Fideaux. He is also survived by a sister, Molly Ann Holmes of Avon, CT. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Jack and Bob, and sister, Barbara Reilly.
Fran greatly enjoyed watching his children grow and develop into responsible adults and assume the duties of Dad, Mom, Aunt and Uncle to his beloved grandchildren. A former president of the Notre Dame Alumni Club of Indianapolis, he was a loyal fan of his Alma Mater and rarely missed one of their home football games since his graduation. He greatly enjoyed the company of his friends, especially the monthly gatherings of the Cathedral Class of 1960 and those who wished they were from the Cathedral Class of 1960.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 1, 2018, 4 to 8 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in the church on Saturday, June 2, 2018. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, St.-Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876, or to the Brothers of Holy Cross Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 460, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Brezette Family
I am so grateful that our families will always belong to each other❤️You were so loved, fran, and will never go away!
Fran is the patriarch of one of the best families to ever exist, which is truly telling of the kind of person he was. he leaves behind quite a legacy. Rest easy, Mr. Brezette
UF……..What a great husband, father, grandfather and to me Uncle you were. You will be greatly missed by us all but are now reunited with your parents and siblings in heaven.
David and MJ…..
To Joanne and all my former first grade Brezette children:
My heart breaks for you that you have lost a beloved husband and father!
May he rest in the arms of the angels until you meet again!
Prayers and sympathy,
Sussanne Sullivan
First grade teacher–retired
The term “Good Guy” is used quite often, but in Fran’s case.. . . . . it really hit the nail on the head. He was always sincere and had a unique knack for carrying on a conversation that, no matter what the subject was, he was able to draw you in. No doubt about it, we truly lost a good guy, who will be remembered, long after his passing, not only by his family, but by his many friends.
Jim Cuniffe
I will always remember sharing joke emails with my Uncle Fran and will keep his email address in my address book forever. I will get a kick out of every future joke email – thinking that Uncle Fran would have enjoyed me sending it to him too (or wonder if he would have already emailed it to me)! Every time I talked or caught up on the phone with Uncle Fran, he was always so proud of his children (my cousins) and wife (my Aunt Joanne) and would update me on all of their activities (along with all the grandchildren)! The get togethers with Fran and his brothers (Robert – my father) and Jack (my Uncle) were great and fun to be part of. Truth be known, I think Uncle Fran was the better story teller! I can only imagine the reunion now,…. Rest in peace Uncle Fran. Love, Mark Brezette
Kevin and family, we send our sincere sympathy for your loss.
Thank you Mark! I can only imagine Uncle Jack and Uncle Rob welcoming Dad. Love you cuz!
Thank you Cuz! Love you guys!
My name is Greg Spray. I met Fran while working at Allstate Insurance on Shaleland Avenue. I truly have many great memories with Fran throughout the ’70s….a “few” drinks, several trips to South Bend, and lots of laughs. I moved from Indiana in late1976, but we stayed in tough via the phone for several years. I always enjoyed talking and catching up with Fran…He was a a great guy! RIP my friend.
I’ve known Fran since we were 14 and played summer baseball together with a couple of our very good friends, Joe McGowan and John Griffin. In the past 50 years or so, I’d see him occasionaly socially and it was always a good time. That all changed when about 3 years ago we started going together to the monthly Butler alum luncheons at the Golden Ace, which gave us an hour or so together alone in the car to just talk. (By the way, Joanne, in your words, “he loves to drive” was totally accurate. He’d always drive and on top ot that he’d give me dopr-to-door service) Anyway, that hour together for all those months gave me a brand new feeling about Fran, namely what a neat, fun true friend guy he was. I grew to love him as such—a true friend. Wish it would’ve happened 50 years sooner!! (Also, you might wonder how such a diehard Notre Dame alum/fan/etc as he got into a Butler alum group. Well his answer was he went to the C-Club a lot. Ha.)
My sincere condolences and love to Joanne and all the Brezette and Ford family and friends. I’m sure he was your true friend, also. May he rest in peace.
Leo and Kathy Queisser
I will always remember the good times I had with Fran when we were classmates at Notre Dame — he was always a nice person to be with and to be around Russ Pierson Orlando
Mr Brezette – We’ll always have Chris Zorich. Thanks for always being nice to the kid at the tailgate. Lotta good memories at ND games with you, my dad, the Brezette kids, the Fords, and Duffy! RIP and Go Irish…
Jodi – I was saddened today when Matt told me about the passing of your dad. I am so sorry for your loss. May God hold you and all of your family in the Palm of His Hands at this difficult time. Hold the memories close in your heart – they will always be with you.
Raylene Carr, Indianapolis, Indiana
I have lived away from Indy since 1965, but Fran has always kept me and our Cathedral High School Classmates informed and in the loop. He truly unified the Class of 1960. He was always in a good mood and seems like we did not miss a “beat”. My heart felt condolences to Joanne and the entire Brezette family. Fran was a very good person and he will Rest in the Hands of the Lord and be in Eternal Peace and Happiness.