Malcolm Gordon Franklin passed away at home on April 14, 2020 in Houston, Texas. He was born on May 05, 1947 in Plainfield, NJ to Jenny and George A. Franklin and older brother George, Jr.. Malcolm is survived by his wife Susan; beloved son and daughter, Douglas Franklin and Melissa Franklin Lewis; grandchildren Matthew and Carolina Franklin; and Douglas’ wife Catherine Arbelaez, her daughter Maria Supelano and Melissa’s husband Jaime Lewis. Additional family members are sister-in-law Patsy Franklin, nephews Gordon and Garrett Franklin, niece Leslie Franklin; his sister Deborah Weiss, husband Eric Weiss, niece and nephew Julie and Peter; brother Jeffrey Nordfors, wife Gigi Nordfors, nephews Eric and Ian and niece Lisa. Malcolm was loved by Susan’s family as a brother and a friend.
Malcolm earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lafayette College followed by a Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University with extensive continuing education, training and certifications receiving numerous awards, commendations and praise. Malcolm started his career as a new lawyer assisting private practice, representing a range of cases from divorce to corporate. Malcolm practiced corporate and insurance law, becoming a specialist in re-insurance, personal and liability law. His insurance careers included Midland Insurance in New York City, Puritan Insurance Co. of Stamford, CT, Continental Insurance Co., in NYC and Cranbury, NJ, and Selective Insurance in Branchville, NJ. Malcolm served with distinction on insurance related boards throughout his challenging career. Malcolm worked tirelessly with colleagues and coworkers to grow their business and secure the future of their policy holders. In addition to Malcolm’s department head responsibilities, Malcolm participated in numerous acquisitions of faltering regional firms, ensuring that those policy holders were covered into the future.
Upon retiring Malcolm kept himself busy refurbishing houses, tinkering with watches and clocks, rebuilding classic toys, fixing whatever needed fixing, researching contents of his many collections and documenting his research. His passion for collections extended from WWII & military memorabilia, to coins and even stamps. Malcolm was an avid reader in many genres who delighted in learning. He continued his desire to mentor and assist by working with employees by offering his wise counsel and sage advice. His infectious enthusiasm carried into all those who met him. His wisdom, patience and prudent counsel will be sorely missed.
With his intellect and prodigious memory he was a storehouse of knowledge and facts. Everyone who met Malcolm commented on his wit, intelligence and kindness towards others.
Services will be private. A celebration of Malcolm and his life will be held at a later date in Houston. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Malcolm’s memory to Hope Village in Friendswood, TX at www.hope-village.com/donate.html.