The community is preparing to remember 5-year-old Franky Talley.
Franky lost his 18-month battle with brain cancer earlier this week. His death sent shock waves through the community, one that clearly loved the boy who fought like a hero.
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“I am not really ready to talk or explain my feelings on heaven gaining my angel. The only thing I can say is I’m proud to be his mother. Franky is a special boy who taught so many lessons to everyone around him,” Franky’s mom, Tiffany Fusco, wrote Saturday on the Team Franky Facebook page.
Jamie Lenegan, who owns Bristol-based Kid Krashers, got to know Franky and his mom well over the little boy’s courageous fight.
“He stole our hearts with his first smile, we bonded quick and I knew in my mind that things can get worse so I didn’t want to get to close but how couldn’t you?” she said. “We did the best we can, and the smiles in return showed us.”
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Jo-Jo’s Ice Cream and Water Ice in Levittown was host to fundraisers for Franky during his battle. Its owner, Debbie Lee Kalbach, said she was devastated over the loss of “our little Franky.”
The support and messages of condolences have poured in via social media.
Franky suffered from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Medical experts say there is no known cure for the brain stem cancer that affects children. According to WebMD, chemotherapy is the most effective form of treatment for DIPG, however, in 90 percent of the cases the treatment extends the patients life by only 18 months.
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Franky’s condition began to worsen on Monday and his mother, Tiffany Fusco, wrote on the Team Franky Facebook page that she feared he did not have much more time.
“I have never in my life been so scared that the time is near. My heart is in so much pain,” she wrote.
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Franky is now gone, and it’s now time for the community to mourn. Kid Krashes co-owner Jose Reynolds said it’s also time to comfort his grieving mother.
“This wasn’t any fundraiser, charity or such thing. This was a friendship that we made. Yongyuan de péngyou – that’s friends forever in Chinese.”
Here’s Franky’s obituary:
Franky Marques Talley, age 5, of Levittown, PA, was given his eternal wings on June 25, 2014, following a courageous 18 month long battle with a rare, terminal brain cancer, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, DIPG. A lifetime long resident of Levittown, Franky defeated all odds and touched many lives along the way, at such an early age, teaching many people about life.
Franky was an honorary member of the Levittown Fire Company #2.
Grandson of the late Mark B. Fusco, he is survived by his mother, Tiffany Fusco of Levittown, “Franky’s Rosa” of Levittown, PA, his father, Franklin Talley, of Philadelphia, his maternal Grandmother Debra (Graziano) J. Fusco of Levittown, PA, his Uncle Justin Fusco of Levittown, PA, Uncle and Aunt James and Tina (Toledo) Rice of Bristol, PA, and his “Aunt” Penny Talarico of Levittown, PA.
A special thanks goes to Dr. Jean Belasco and the CHOP staff, Bayada and his caregiver Hilda Ratison-Quintero, the Jacob Solely foundation, and all of the Team Franky community for their support and prayers.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass on Monday, June 30, 2014 at 11 AM at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Big Oak and Makefield Rds., Morrisville, PA. 19067. Father Charles Revert, of St. Charles Borremeo Roman Catholic Church will celebrate the mass. Interment will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery, River Rd., Yardley, PA. A wake service will be held at 5 PM Sunday evening at J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel (www.hooperfuneralchapel.com) led by Father Mike of Queen of the Universe Roman Catholic Church.
Friends may call Sunday evening from 5-9 PM, and on Monday morning from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM at the J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel, 41 W. Trenton Ave., Morrisville, PA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions, be sent to “Team Franky”, c/o Chris Doerner, 210 Ivy Rd., Beverly, NJ 08010. Credit card contributions may be sent to Paypal.com…Make a payment…Dolltoy@hotmail.com.
