Salem G Francis

Salem "Sal" G. Francis, 74, of Boylston, passed away on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 in his home. He is survived by his loving wife, Deborah M. (Shays) Francis; a son, Scott G. Francis and his wife Christine of Leicester; a daughter, Teresa A. Zurowski and her husband Michael of Brooklyn, CT; a sister, Shirley Simon of Pittsfield; five grandchildren, Josh Emerson, Travis Zurowski, Ruby, Domenic and Lorenzo Francis; four nephews, Mark and Samuel Simon and Michael and Timothy Shays and a niece, Denise Svenconis; his mother in law, Joyce Shays and brother in law, Stephen Shays both of Hollywood, FL; and the entire Bollus family. Sal was predeceased by a grandson, Nathan Francis and by a sister, Lorraine George. Sal was born in Worcester, son of the late Elias and Emma (Rashid) Francis and graduated from Worcester North High School. He then served his nation proudly in the United States Army, during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return, he graduated from Clark University, with a Degree in Accounting and Business. He then graduated from New England School of Accounting. Sal worked as a Certified Public Accountant for several years, before becoming a partner at Worcester Molded Plastics. The majority of his career was at Edward Buick in Worcester, where he worked as the Sales and Finance Manger, for over twenty-five years, retiring in 2007. He was the Grand Knight of Pope John 23rd, Knights of Columbus in 1973 and 1974. He enjoyed golf, reading, fishing, and his trips to Wells Beach. Sal was a charismatic person, who was well rounded, with the gifts of education, knowledge and friendship. Above anything that he did, he found that his family was his greatest gift, and especially cherished the special times with his grandchildren. Calling hours for Sal will be held Sunday, July 25, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. His funeral will be held on Monday, July 26, from the funeral home with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Saint Ann Church, 24 Mulberry Street, Worcester. Interment will follow in Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701 or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.