The body of Fordham-area-born Marine Lance Cpl. Alberto Francesconi, Jr., 21, was returned to his old neighborhood for a moving memorial service attended by New York Cardinal Edward Egan.

Friends and family members packed into Our Lady of Mercy Church on Marion Avenue, just a few short blocks from Francesconi’s childhood home, on Friday, Jan. 9.

“He was an exceptional young man who died while accomplishing his duty and serving his country,” Cardinal Egan told mourners.
As the flag-draped coffin was carried out of the church, the young soldier’s father, Alberto, Sr., mother Minerva, and his 23-year-old widow Cynthia followed close behind.

Francesconi, who was laid to rest at St. Raymond’s Cemetery in Throgs Neck, was killed on New Year’s Day, as he and members of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment were engaged in a firefight in Helmand province in Afghanistan.

Francesconi, an aspiring pilot who worked at the Bank of America before enlisting, was singled out by Governor David Paterson in his State of the State address on Jan. 7. “This is a terrible tragedy, but it just shows how much these individuals give of themselves, to protect all of us back here in New York,” Paterson said.

Mourner Sereenah Bernard recalled Francesconi as an avid pool player and lover of rap music who introduced her to her current boyfriend. “He was always taking life day by day and having fun,” she said.