Francis Galbiati died on April 21, 2009.
Galbiati was born in a house on Italia Avenue in Vineland, and he died last week in the backyard of a house he built on Italia Avenue. In between, he created Eastlyn Golf Course – also on Italia Avenue, within sight of that backyard.
His wife, Margaret, says Francis was a farmer and landscaper when he was young. But after a few bad years for the crops in the early 1960s, her husband told her one night that he wanted to turn the farm into a golf course.
That was surprising because Francis was never a golfer. But he’d drawn up his own plans for a golf course, and he got to work on making it shortly after that conversation. [from Martin DeAngelis’ poignant appreciation of Francis Galbiati in the Press of Atlantic City]
He made it well. I know. One of my early boyhood thrills was driving a golf cart on his golf course and finding golf balls in the woods.
In loving memory of my uncle, Francis Galbiati. I will not forget his grace and his works. He was a wonderful man.
Doug,
Thanks so much for again posting this wonderful video interview with my dad. I had not watched this since it was first done, and I cannot tell you how nice it was to see and hear him again.
Most of all, thank you for taking the time to have completed this video interview in the first place. It will remain a lasting testament to his spirit.
Lisa
Fran really was a treasure. And you and your kids are also a testament to his spirit.