Francis Ghiardi

Francis was born May 16, 1950 in Ishpeming to John and Mary (Paris) Ghiardi, Jr., attended Negaunee St. Paul School and then graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1968. Following graduation, Fran attended Northern Michigan University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education in 1972. Fran also coached JV basketball during his college years.

Fran started in National Mine as the boy’s JV basketball coach and later accepted the varsity basketball coaching position in Champion. When Westwood Schools opened up, Fran became a staple in that district as he coached basketball and won two UP championships as the Assistant Track Coach and coached cross country for one year. Fran began at Negaunee in 1984 coaching, but still was a teacher at Westwood, and that later changed in 1985 when he accepted a full time teaching position with Negaunee Public Schools. He spent sixteen years in the Negaunee Public Schools system before retiring in 2000. Fran took a lot of pride in coaching the Miners as he won four district championships, one regional championship, and one trip to the state semifinals in 1986; but his family and friends were always his number one priority. He married the love of his life, Kathy(Bednar) Ghiardi on July 20, 1985, and they spent nearly forty years together. Kathy and Fran first met when Kathy was filling out an insurance form and noticed they had the same birthday, and ever since then, they hit it off.

Fran always looked forward to working summer basketball camps, whether it was here in the Upper Peninsula or at Michigan State University where he worked camps with Coach Jud Heathcote and Tom Izzo. Fran was a devout member of St Paul Catholic Church as well as the Negaunee Elks. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his Uncle Paul Paris, loved Super Bowl Weekend with the Ghiardi family, playing tennis, driving his black corvette around town with the top down, tending to his grapevines, making his own wine, making his famous cudighi recipe, traveling with his wife to numerous destinations, and social gatherings with his many friends in downtown Negaunee and Marquette.

Surviving are his loving wife, Kathy(Bednar) Ghiardi, brother: Jack Ghiardi of Ishpeming, and numerous cousins and many special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his in-laws: Andy and June Bednar. A friend to many, Fran will be dearly missed by all who knew him. His last words were ‘I am going to miss everyone’, he was very thankful for all the great friends and relationships he developed throughout his life. His family would like to thank the staff at UPHS-Marquette for the compassionate care provided over the last couple of months.

A Rosary prayer service will be held at 9:30 AM on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at St. Paul Catholic Church with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM with Rev. Larry VanDamme officiating. A time of sharing memories with family and friends will take place after Mass in the church courtyard where there will be a coffee social. Interment will take place in the Negaunee Cemetery.

Fran’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com