Franklin V. Stevens was born on January 26th, 1928 in Greenland, Hanover, Jamaica, W.I. to Adolphus Stephens and Louise Anson. He was one of seven children. He attended Middlesex School and later trade school.
He was an accomplished cricket player as a young man, a talent he claims to have gotten from his mother and enjoyed playing the banjo in a local group. He first worked for his uncle (Uncle Harold) as a truck driver, going to market weekly, until he was able have his own truck, which he called “Lash LaRue”, his favorite western star. He also emigrated to the US as a farm worker, picking strawberries for a short time.
On April 26th, 1952 he married his love Thelma Jordan, brother of her very best friend, Pearl. They had their first child, Franklin (Barry), the nickname can be explained at another time. Thelma emigrated to the US in 1953 followed by Franklin the next year. They had their second child Donna in 1960 in Bronx, NY. You know Dads and their girls. His first job was in the Garment district wheeling materials from warehouse to warehouse then later found his career as a garage attendant for over forty-five years with Pilot Garage in Washington Heights until they closed. He moved on to other locations until he finally retired. Franklin was considered to be a hardworking and very trustworthy man, attributes he felt very strongly about. He once told his boss “If you are short one penny, fire me!!!”.
Franklin was known for his vehicles being well tuned and very CLEAN, just ask the neighborhood young men who spent Saturdays washing and polishing their rides trying to compete ------ no chance, ask me how I know. He was a lifelong METS fan, the kind that walked around with a transistor radio in his shirt pocket and buying three copies of the News nightly, Early edition, 1 star and the Final. After separation he loved spending time with his daughter, son, and granddaughter Amy. Life change is constant and after meeting his life partner Marion they shared their mutual love for the METS. They would also spend time feeding the local wildlife almost daily as they would drive to Central Ave. A man of few words, except, when you mention that four letter word METS. After speaking with many people, you realize the influence and advice he had and gave to young people, family, friends, and strangers.
Franklin is survived by his wife Thelma , daughter Donna Griffin, son in law Anthony Griffin, son Barry, daughter in law Barbara, life partner Marion Alberti, brother Frank Stephens, granddaughters Tiffany, Amy, Racquel, great granddaughters Tiara and Mikayla Goldberg, niece Sherree Stephens, Andrea Jolly, Jennifer Chambers, nephew Robert Jolly and numerous other relatives. He was preceded in death by his sisters Dorothy Woods, Sylvia Stevens, Gloria Stevens, and brother Arthur Stevens.
A viewing will be held Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 2-5 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Avenue, Bronx NY. Service will be held at the funeral home at 4:30 pm on Saturday. Committal private.