Early Life

Francis’s early life was one of happiness with his family whom he loved dearly. He was born to loving parents Michael and Marie, where they lived at 613 Moore Street in Philadelphia. Both Michael and Marie were born in Italy, being from Palermo and Catania respectively. Michael often went by the nickname “Babe”, which fittingly is what he named his bar. Francis often reminisced fondly about Babe’s, as he would shuck oysters and clean the bar for his father, saying that this is how he earned his keep. One of his favorite stories to tell was of his encounters with Angelo Bruno, who came in from time to time. He would always ask “Francis (always said as Fran-geise), you being a good boy?”, to which Francis would always answer with “Yes Mr. Bruno”, netting him a $10 bill. (Which would be over $100 today.) Colorful characters like him were the source of many of Francis’s earliest and long-lasting memories. This bar was where he forged his work ethic that drove him forward in his later career, and what instilled in him the social skills that defined his personality. Aside from the life lessons of the bar, his parents taught him the valuable truth that family would always come first, a phrase that Francis came to live his life by.

A photo of Francis on his 16th birthday at his father's bar.

Francis and his two brothers, Joseph and Lenny.

Three Brothers

Francis was not the only one who grew up under the parenthood of Michael and Marie, as he was the youngest of his three brothers. Joseph was his oldest brother, with his other brother Leonard being the middle son. Leonard, who he called Lenny, was a musician that performed under the stage name of Lenny Perna. Lenny passed away in 1994, and was dearly missed by his youngest brother. He would often say of him that he lost his lifelong best friend, and never failed to share his favorite memories of his brother with anyone willing to listen. His oldest brother Joseph, whom he called affectionately called “Joe Moose”. This was a joke they had in reference to his temper being comparable to that of Mussolini, though Joe wouldn’t allow anyone except his little brother to call him this. They shared a deep brotherly love that continued past Francis's passing, as he was survived by Joe for nearly a year. Though the loss of both men looms large, it is certain that Joe is happy to be reunited with the man who he called his "Big Little Brother". All three brothers are now together once again, and I'm sure they are making up for lost time with a few drinks and a whole lot of stories.

Children

Francis had one child whom he named Maria. As she grew up, she noted that he was often not home as he deployed overseas, though he was still deeply loving and she could feel his presence even when he was away. They would often joke that when he died they were going to stuff him and put him in the living room so he could finally stay home. Semi-morbid jokes aside, he meant the world to Maria. He was her rock and her greatest supporter, never failing to offer a kind word of advice or a helping hand. She, like many, often said that he had a way about him that always diffused her anxieties and made her feel like all was going to be okay. He never failed to be there for any event in her life despite the travel for work and was always there to lend a helping hand to her and her two children. One of her favorite memories of him is when he came in on her wedding day and saw how beautiful she looked, proceeded to get flustered, and then declared he was going to need a drink to get through the rest of the day. Following his retirement, he dedicated as much time as possible to being with his daughter, be it at dinner or just stopping in to say hello. When asked about it, he would never hesitate to say that her wedding day was the happiest day of his life. Maria was and forever will be Daddy’s little girl, and I’m sure he knows how sorely he is missed by his beloved daughter.

Francis on the happiest day of his life.

Francis with his beloved grandchildren.

Grandchildren

His first grandchild was Ashley Marjorie Meade, who was born in 1994. Francis immediately loved her with all his heart, and can be seen smiling widely in any picture of the two of them from when she was a baby. Ashley, or Ash as we call her, loved him for his fun-loving humor and kind way of always being there. He would always take her to and from the barn to see her first horse Heff, whom he too cared for. Anytime she needed anything he was there in a flash, and he never hesitated to burst into her room to say hello, even if she was working or in school remotely. (He was the only one who she wouldn’t get mad at for it too!) Though she isn’t one to comment on emotional matters, she loved him more than any emotional statement or quick story could ever capture, and feels his abscence every day.

His other grandchild is seven years Ashleys junior and is the author and creator of this website. My name is Mark Francis, which just saying here fills me with pride. I will detail my relationship with my Grandfather within the Dedication Page, but for now all you need to know is that I was his favorite. (Kidding of course, sorry Ashley)