Franco Reid Warren Belk
Nov 7, 1947 -
Apr 5, 2026
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Franco Reid Warren Belk on April 5, 2026.
Lifelong Alaskan, 42-year business owner and consummate free-spirit, Franco arrived in Alaska at age 3, the eldest child of Reid and Angela (Seghezzi) Belk. He spent his youth growing up in the Eagle River and Chugiak communities with siblings Ann, Harold and Larry.
Franco was a member of Chugiak High School's first graduating class in 1965. On his 18th birthday, Franco enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served with distinction and was a proud Vietnam veteran. Following his military service, Franco returned to Alaska, immediately joining the Bureau of Land Management where he fought wildfires across the Kenai Peninsula in the early '70s.
From early youth, Franco had an enthusiasm and talent for anything automotive and that shaped his life and career choices. He channeled his automotive knowledge and obtained ASE certification as a Master Certified Automotive Technician. After gaining experience at several Anchorage-area automotive shops, Franco took a huge leap of faith in May 1984, opening his own business, Peters Creek Auto Repair. When the chance to expand to Eagle River arose, Franco and wife, Kristie, opened a second shop there in 1992. Ultimately, they merged the two shops in 1996, subsequently building a large addition and becoming present day Eagle River Automotive.
Franco embraced life full speed ahead with boundless energy and an independent spirit with few limits. At age 16, he and his mother flew stateside, picked up a new family car and drove back to Alaska, making that Alcan trip countless times over the years. Franco's love for automobiles was eclipsed only by his love of speed; in his teen years, he raced cars on the back roads of Chugiak-Eagle River to Fort Richardson, timing the trips to beat the next time. And Franco loved to fly. In the Army he was crew chief on Huey helicopters, back in Alaska he flew hang gliders off Wallace Mountain in Eagle River and took flying lessons. He camped, fished and boated all over the state as well as many Lower 48 states, Canada and Hawaii, sharing many adventures with his children and grandchildren over the years. And always, Franco played golf.
Throughout his life, Franco's passion for golf remained a consummate pastime and challenge while fostering lasting friendships and a lifetime of great memories. More than that, golf served as a primary motivation during his recovery periods from major health battles. Over the years, Franco overcame a multitude of serious accidents, major surgeries and life-threatening health challenges. His unwavering tenacity and resilience, a whole lot of stubborn Italian attitude coupled with that unwavering determination to swing his golf club one more time was the motivation that kept him always moving forward with a strong mental attitude.
In his youth, Franco played baseball and basketball, often made possible only through the support of local small business owners. As a business owner himself, he felt an obligation to honor those owners and pay it forward. Franco's commitment to the Chugiak-Eagle River community including supporting local youth and youth organizations, a multitude of small nonprofits, as well as local civic organizations. He belonged to American Legion Post 33, was a charter member of the Eagle River Elks Lodge and lifetime member of VFW Post 9785.
In addition to his wife and siblings, Franco is survived by seven children and stepchildren, along with eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews across the U.S., as well as family in Italy, and his canine cohort in crime, Zeus.
At Franco's request, there will be no formal funeral service. In his memory, contributions are suggested to one of his favorite charities, Alaska Beagle Ranch, 1161 E Dan St, Wasilla, AK 99654; www.alaskabeagleranch.org.
"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure."
