Daniel E. ‘Danny’ Colace, 52, of Franklin passed away peacefully on August 26, 2025.
Daniel was born in Milford and was the much beloved youngest son of Filomena A. Colace and the late Eugenio N. "Gino" Colace of Franklin.
A lifelong resident of Franklin, Danny graduated from Franklin High School in 1990. After high school he attended Belleville Junior College in Illinois and after that earned a full scholarship to the University of Missouri. He graduated from the University in 1995.
Throughout his high school and college years, Danny was an avid athlete and excelled in the sport of wrestling. At Franklin High, Danny was a two time state champion, a New England champion, and became a High School All American by finishing third in the country. Danny continued to wrestle while at Belleville and the University of Missouri. He was captain of his wrestling team and a national qualifier at the University of Missouri. After graduating, Danny used his entrepreneurial skills to open a restaurant and develop real estate in Missouri.
After returning to his home base, Franklin, Danny worked for many years at the Rome Restaurant.
Danny is survived by his loving mother Filomena A. Colace of Franklin and by four loving brothers and their families: Carmine (his late wife Gail A. Colace) and his partner Kathy King, Richard and his partner Jessie Tucci, James and his wife Beth, and Mario and his wife Melissa.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and had developed a particularly strong relationship with his nephew Nate.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 8th, from 4-8 pm in the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home, 33 Cottage Street, Franklin.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral on Tuesday, September 9th, at 9 am from the funeral home followed by a funeral Mass at St Mary’s Church in Franklin at 10am.
Interment will follow at the parish cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Danny’s memory to: The Safe Coalition 31 Hayward Street Suite 2C, Franklin, MA 02038.
Guestbook www.franklinfuneral.com