Joseph L. Francis
...WWII SeaBee's and Boston Local 33 Carpenter; age 92
WILMINGTON - Joseph L. Francis, age 92, a retired carpenter for Boston's Local 33, died peacefully at Woodbrier at Wilmington, Saturday, February 20, after a long period of declining health. He was the beloved husband of Maria Evelyn (Govoni) Francis.
He was born in East Boston, May 19, 1917, a son of the late Anthony and Mary (Gill ) Francis. He was raised in East Boston. At the outset of WW2, he enlisted into the U.S. Navy SeaBee's, and served in the forward lines of the Pacific Theater. In his later years, he recalled being either a SeaBee or a Marine, depending on the island and how intense the battle. He maintained his WW2 friendships and bonds with his fellow soldiers in the Constitution Island X Six SeeBee's Association.
He was a Union Carpenter and Steward for Boston Carpenter's Union Local 33, and was proud to have served as Union Steward for the entire project during the construction of the original John Hancock Tower, Boston's first skyscraper.
He was a communicant of St. Dorothy's Church in Wilmington. In his later years, he was a frequent visitor, and a daily cribbage player at the Tewksbury Senior Center.
He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph A. Francis and his wife Linda (Mackey) of Wilmington; a daughter and son-in-law, Norma McClellan and her husband Robert of FL; many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was also father of the late John L. Francis, and brother of the late George Francis, Blanche Francis, and Helen Clark..
His Funeral Mass was celebrated Friday, February 26, in St. Dorothy's Church, Wilmington. Burial with Navy honors followed in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the John L. Francis Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Shawsheen Valley Technical High School, 100 Cook St., Billerica, MA 01821, will be appreciated.