Joseph Andrew Francis II (76) of Canal Fulton passed away Monday, January 30, 2023. He was born in Akron, Ohio on January 4, 1947 to mother Kathleen Theuerkauf and father Joseph Andrew Francis and a resident of Akron/Canal Fulton all of his life. Fondly known as Joey to his parents and friends, he graduated from Kenmore High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served for four years in Amarillo, Texas. Within a few years of moving back to Akron, Joe began his career with Pepsi as a driver and over his thirty year career, advanced to become the general manager of the Wadsworth plant. Following Pepsi, he worked as a sales manager for Seagram's and then Dan Dee. Dad was loved and appreciated by his peers and clients for treating them as if they were a part of his own family and providing them, regardless of the size of their account, like a VIP. His friends all said he was the most loyal friend a person could have. Dad was an avid golfer and loved winning his Pepsi incentive trips. From his golf trip to Ireland, Pebble Beach and weekend golf trips with friends, he loved golf. In his retirement, he liked to travel with Carol on cruises and weekend trips and enjoying time with his family and grandkids. Unless something very important conflicted with a game, he was a diehard Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers and Ohio State Football fanatic. When Art Modell took the Browns to Baltimore, Dad boycotted the NFL until they returned. And his family knew it wasn't always wise to call him after the Browns lost a game because he needed a day or two to get past it. Joe is survived by daughter Kimberly Francis, son Ron (Ami) Miletich, daughter Melissa Allison, son Joseph Andrew Francis III and daughter Tina Haight. Grandchildren Samantha (Adam) Berger, Emily (Justin) Simon, Megan Miletich, Brooke Miletich, Nick Allison, Trey Miletich, Jake Pendleton, Tessa Allison, Brady Allison, Max Haight, Penny Haight. Great-grandchildren Malakai Berger and Oakleigh Bridgeman. Cousin Fred Yerkey. Dad was preceded in death by wife Carol Connor Francis, his mother Kathleen Theuerkauf, father Joseph Andrew Francis, sister Penny Lou Francis, brother Jimmy Francis and his aunt Mary Ruth Theuerkauf. Celebration of Joe's life will be held Friday, February 3, 2023 from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm followed by fellowship with the family from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Swigart-Easterling Funeral Home, 624 Cherry Street E. (Rt. 93) Canal Fulton, Ohio. In lieu of flowers or a planted tree, donations can be made in honor of Joseph "Joey" Francis to the Kenmore-Garfield Athletic Booster Club, 1949 18th Street SW, Akron, Ohio 44314, loveakron.org (330) 338-5766.
His guest registry, Video-Gift tribute and Celebration of Life service may be viewed online at www.SwigartEasterlingFuneralHome.com.
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