Edner Franck, Haitian community leader and soccer pioneer, dies at 95 | Obituary

Edner Franck, a beloved patriarch and dedicated leader in Chicago’s Haitian community, died Jan. 27 after a brief battle with dementia. He was 95.

Born in Anse-à-Veau, Haiti, Franck built a remarkable legacy of service, integrity, and devotion to his family, culture, and community.

A skilled mechanic with an entrepreneurial spirit, Franck immigrated to Chicago in the 1960s, where he worked tirelessly to support his loved ones. His deep passion for Haitian culture and soccer led him to found and manage two teams—L’Ouverture Soccer Club and DuSable Soccer Club—which became cornerstones of the Haitian community in Chicago.

“Our family patriarch was truly a selfless man,” said Kareen Nunnally, Franck’s daughter. “He would rather go without food to help others—a true act of service and sacrifice. He loved his family, his country, his community, his Haiti, infinitely.”

Franck’s commitment to the development of Haitian soccer in the city was unparalleled. A former player himself in Port-au-Prince before immigrating in 1963, he quickly set about creating opportunities for young Haitian players in his new home. In 1981, he founded L’Ouverture Soccer Club, inspired by his childhood hero, Haiti’s revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture. He later established DuSable Soccer Club, named after Chicago’s Haitian founder, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable.

Recognizing systemic issues within the Metropolitan Soccer League, Franck spearheaded efforts to establish the Third World Soccer League—later renamed the World Soccer League—in 1988. When the league struggled to secure a dedicated soccer field, he successfully lobbied the Chicago Park District to repurpose Jackson Park, transforming it into the heart of the Haitian soccer community. His dedication turned L’Ouverture and DuSable into championship-winning teams, offering young Haitian men a space to cultivate discipline, teamwork, and pride in their heritage.

For more than 40 years, Franck was a pillar of Haitian soccer in Chicago. His contributions were honored in 2016 when he became only the second Haitian inducted into the Illinois State Soccer Association Hall of Fame. Beyond sports, he was deeply involved in philanthropic work, notably through Operation S.O.S., which provided aid to underserved communities in Haiti. He was also an active member of the Haitian Catholic Mission of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

A man of faith, generosity, and unwavering dedication, Franck was predeceased by his beloved wife, Denise. He leaves behind his cherished children, Kareen and Richard; grandchildren Bryan, Bradford, and Braxton; as well as a host of family and friends who will deeply miss his kindness, wisdom, and enduring legacy.

A celebration of his life will be held on Feb. 8, 2025, at the Haitian Catholic Mission of the Archdiocese of Chicago at St. Josephine Bakhita. The wake will begin at 10 a.m. CST, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Evergreen Park, Illinois.

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