CHARLES FRANCIS
Charles Burt Francis — Son, husband, father, friend. Charles to some, Burt to many, Mr. Francis to others. Dad, Pap and Pap Pap to a special few.
He was a builder of tall buildings, of family homes and small children’s toys. There wasn’t a problem he wouldn’t tackle using his mind, his hands and his tools. And if the tool he needed didn’t exist? Well, he just created one. Ingenious devices large and small but let us never forget the automated formerly hand-crank ice cream maker that wasn’t!
He was devoted to the town he was born in, raised in and spent his long lifetime — this town in the mountains named for a place by the sea.
His life was indeed a long one. Blessed, he would tell you, despite growing up in times of great wars and living through constant, sometimes tumultuous, change. Times that would shape him to become a seeker of fairness and justice.
A man who put the needs of others before his own yet, at the same time, single-mindedly focused on building a solid and loving foundation for his family.
Wife Janet, with whom he spent sixty-two years; daughters, Raye, Carol and Jamie; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren — the loves and lights of his life, a fact he never hesitated to share.
He served his country in the Navy and gave of his time to church and community. He had a life-long commitment to the Jersey Shore schools where, as a young man, he excelled in sports, graduated in 1950, and always, always said they were the best schools you’d find anywhere.
After rising from apprentice to journeyman carpenter, foreman and project manager, he retired to spend much of his time fly fishing with his wife, Jan, using the dry flies he masterfully crafted. He became a self-taught expert in the ebb and flow of local streams and was called upon for advice before, during and after times of high water, not only in his hometown, but across the country.
He turned ninety this past August, celebrating on a beautiful summer day with his family, favorite homemade ice cream and chocolate cake. We didn’t know then that our time with him was growing short and Charles Burt Francis passed Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, at his home. He is sorely missed by those who knew and loved him; but remembered always for a life oh so very well lived.
A public visitation will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Tributes of Life Crematory Chapel, 1000 Hill Alley, Jersey Shore, Pa., located directly behind the Rearick Carpenter Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to: JSASD, c/o Scholarship Account, 175 A & P Drive, Jersey Shore, PA 17740.
Credit: Source link
