Obituary of Joseph A. Francis

Joseph "Poppy" A. Francis Sr., 74 of Bear, DE died peacefully on January 17, 2017 at Compassionate Care at St. Francis Hospital. Born and raised in Chester, PA, he resided for the past 11 years in Bear, DE, previously residing in Linwood, PA. Joseph worked for various places including Sun Ship, the Navy Yard, DCCC where he was a teacher and the Chichester School District as a teacher's aide, retiring in 2012. Joseph graduated from St. James High School class of 1961 and enjoyed woodworking, bowling, coaching baseball and hockey, fishing and being around his grandchildren. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War and then joined the Army National Guard. Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ann Nuttall Francis and a sister, Jeanne McKeeman who died in 2016. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Patricia A. Shelton Francis, 4 children, Joseph Jr. (Kathleen) Francis, Christian Sr. (Charmaine) Francis, Nicole (Shane) Gartside and Joseph (Melanie) Jackalous also 7 grandchildren. Relative and friends are invited to his funeral service on Sunday, 3PM at the Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Rd. Garnet Valley, Pa. where friends may call from 1-3PM. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Delaware Hospice at www.delawarehospice.org/donate-now.