Lucien "Frenchy" Ange Conte

Lucien "Frenchy" Conte, age 90, Carmel, formerly of St. John and Crown Point, IN, arrived in heaven on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Born on "the French Riviera," Lucien married the love of his life, Liliane Soria, in 1957 and moved to Chicago in 1960 in pursuit of the American dream. Frenchy, Liliane and their young family were supposed to be in America for five years. 

A devoted husband, visionary and adventurer with a larger-than-life personality, Frenchy loved the idea that America was a place where dreams come true. The move from Chicago involved a good job in Hammond, a new red convertible, speeding excessively on the Chicago Skyway, a brief police chase and revocation of Frenchy's Illinois driver’s license...after trying to bribe a police officer as he'd seen in American movies and TV shows. 

Frenchy, Liliane and their oldest daughter, Patricia, becoming American citizens was a very proud moment for him. Some in St. John might recall, Frenchy painted a map/flag of the United States on the side of his garage for the 1976 Bicentennial (his three teenage kids were horrified).  

Frenchy is survived by three children, Patricia (Brian) Dinges, Caroline (Steve)Schlobohm, and Michael (Chris) Conte; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; nephew, Rudy Magnani Lynn; brother, André, and nieces, nephews and their families in France and Australia. 

In lieu of services, Frenchy's family will accompany him home to the south of France where his ashes will be placed with his beloved wife Liliane, in an iconic mountain village near Nice.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.