Francis J. Gilronan
2008-12-17
Francis J. Gilronan died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008, at his home in Pine Run Community, Doylestown. He was 82.
He was a former resident of Schwenksville, Maple Glen, Fort Washington, and Philadelphia.
Born in West Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Thomas and Agnes Curran Gilronan. He attended Our Lady of Victory Elementary School, and graduated Saint Thomas More High School.
From 1944 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Army's 148th Field Artillery Battalion in the Pacific Theater.
After his military service, he attended West Chester State Teachers' College, where he received a bachelor of science degree in education and met his wife-to-be. He later received a master's degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania and completed post-graduate work at the University of Massachusetts and McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Mr. Gilronan started his professional career as a teacher in 1951 at Upper Dublin School District in Fort Washington, where he taught English, geography and social studies in addition to coaching track, football and baseball and serving as a class advisor and yearbook moderator. He also served as administrator, athletic director, assistant principal and principal from 1967 to 1981. Mr. Gilronan retired in 1984, and touched the lives of thousands of students over decades of service to Upper Dublin High School.
A devoted churchgoer and communicant, most recently of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Doylestown, he was also a lifelong Philadelphia Phillies fan, witnessing baseball games at Baker Bowl, Shibe Park, Veterans Stadium, and Citizens Bank Park, and recently celebrating the 2008 World Series victory.
Francis was the beloved husband for 57 years of Ruth D. Gilronan and the devoted father of Patricia G. Dianora (Robert) of Wildwood, Mo., and Michael F. Gilronan (Maura Harrigan) of Acton, Mass. He was the loving grandfather of Rob, Kate, and Danny Dianora. He also is survived by his brother, James J. Gilronan of East Lansdowne; and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday Dec. 23, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Doylestown, with a funeral Mass at 10 am. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.
He was a former resident of Schwenksville, Maple Glen, Fort Washington, and Philadelphia.
Born in West Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Thomas and Agnes Curran Gilronan. He attended Our Lady of Victory Elementary School, and graduated Saint Thomas More High School.
From 1944 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Army's 148th Field Artillery Battalion in the Pacific Theater.
After his military service, he attended West Chester State Teachers' College, where he received a bachelor of science degree in education and met his wife-to-be. He later received a master's degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania and completed post-graduate work at the University of Massachusetts and McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Mr. Gilronan started his professional career as a teacher in 1951 at Upper Dublin School District in Fort Washington, where he taught English, geography and social studies in addition to coaching track, football and baseball and serving as a class advisor and yearbook moderator. He also served as administrator, athletic director, assistant principal and principal from 1967 to 1981. Mr. Gilronan retired in 1984, and touched the lives of thousands of students over decades of service to Upper Dublin High School.
A devoted churchgoer and communicant, most recently of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Doylestown, he was also a lifelong Philadelphia Phillies fan, witnessing baseball games at Baker Bowl, Shibe Park, Veterans Stadium, and Citizens Bank Park, and recently celebrating the 2008 World Series victory.
Francis was the beloved husband for 57 years of Ruth D. Gilronan and the devoted father of Patricia G. Dianora (Robert) of Wildwood, Mo., and Michael F. Gilronan (Maura Harrigan) of Acton, Mass. He was the loving grandfather of Rob, Kate, and Danny Dianora. He also is survived by his brother, James J. Gilronan of East Lansdowne; and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday Dec. 23, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Doylestown, with a funeral Mass at 10 am. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken.