Joseph W. Francis, age 74, died suddenly Tuesday, May 17, 2016 in The Villages, FL.
He leaves his wife of 50 years, Carole Seidell Francis; his son, Christopher J Francis, his wife, Jennifer; two daughters, Joanne C Reilly, her husband, Rob; Cindy L Burt, her husband, Joe; his brother, William C Francis, his wife, Nora; four grandchildren; three grand dogs and many close friends.
Born and raised in Yonkers NY, the son of Charles H and Catherine Reed Francis, he moved to New Fairfield, Connecticut after his marriage and raised his three children there.
In his early years, Mr. Francis was active in sports in the City of Yonkers NY and played on several State and National championship baseball and basketball teams. He was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School Yonkers NY, Westchester Community College Valhalla NY and Pace University Pleasantville NY with a degree in Business Administration.
Mr. Francis was a US Army Viet Nam era Veteran, and was a member of American Legion Post 347, Lady Lake Florida. He was also active locally in the Flags for Fallen Veterans program. The discipline and patriotism he learned from his military career never left him and was incorporated into his life.
He worked for the Xerox Corporation in Stamford CT for 35 years, holding various major account sales and marketing positions before retiring in the year 2000.
Locally he was a charter member of Red Sox Nation-Villages and the UCONN Huskie Sports Club-Villages.
Mr. Francis was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and valued the time, joy and happiness they brought to his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to The American Legion or the charity of one’s choice. Please visit hiers-baxly.com to share messages of condolence with the family.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday, June 3, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. at Saint Timothy Roman Catholic Church in the Villages, followed by a interment with military honors at Florida National Cemetery, in Bushnell Fl.
