Francis, Connie

She was born Concetta Constance Franconero on December 12, 1938, at Saint James Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of George and Ida (Ferrara) Franconero . Her father, the son of Italian immigrants, was a former dockworker turned roofing contractor. Two years later, her brother George was born. Connie was brought up in Belleville, New Jersey, and later in Bloomfield. Because her father enjoyed playing the concertina, he had his daughter take lessons on a miniature accordion when...