Francis E. Moxie

Francis (Fran) E. Moxie, 92, of Springdale, peacefully passed away at Harmar Village on April 28, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born July 8, 1931, in Glassmere, PA and lived the majority of his life in Springdale.  He was a 1949 graduate of East Deer High School and a 1953 graduate of The State Teachers College, in California, PA (now California State University) where he was a proud member of football team that played in the school’s first bowl game, the 1951 Pythian Bowl.  Upon graduation, he joined the US Army achieving the rank of Corporal in the Military Police Corps serving most of his time at the Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  During his 36-year teaching career at Springdale High School teaching shop and math classes, he was a long-term varsity tennis coach winning several section titles.  His tennis players will remember him for his fondness for ice cream and the need to stop on the way home from away matches.  (As an ice cream connoisseur, he knew all the best places to stop and always found a reason to do so.)  He also coached basketball at the junior high and Varsity levels for Allegheny Valley School District. 

Fran was involved in many community organizations and civic activities.  As a devoted Catholic, Fran was a longtime member of St. Alphonsus Parish, and served many years as an usher.  He was a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a past Grand Knight; he was a past Post Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Springdale; and a very active member of the Boy Scouts of America where he was the leader of Troop 504 of Springdale for many years as well as the Camp Director at Camp Heritage in Farmington, PA.  He achieved countless awards and accomplishments including the distinguished Silver Beaver Award in 1986.  Fran’s involvement in the community also includes 16 years working as the playground director for Springdale Borough. 

Fran enjoyed taking his family camping in a small pop-up tent camper throughout the Eastern United States.  He later upgraded to an RV in which he and Cathy visited much of the United States, eventually traveling across country to Alaska.  He was a long-time Pittsburgh Pirates fan and a season ticket holder until the age of 90.  The memories of Forbes Field, sitting with his family in Peanut Heaven at Three Rivers Stadium eating peanuts and popcorn, and finally PNC Park are endless.  One of his favorite past-times was playing pinocle with his wife and close friends and more recently 500 Rummy with his family.  Bingo was always something special to look forward to at the nursing home with the “Bingo Lady” who always had potato chips and chocolate for him to win (he was always a winner!).

Francis is survived by his wife of 67 years, Catherine, their children, Debbie Beucker, Frank Jr. (Dorothy) Moxie, Steve (Denise) Moxie, Andrea (Hap) Evans, Jai (Michele) Moxie, 15 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren; sisters Patrica (Tony) Pelligrino, and Marylyn (Mike) Lapato, brother Joe (Gloria) Moxie, sister-in-law Marianne Moxie, nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his daughters Anna and Mary, parents Frank and Mary, and brother Clem.

Friends and family will be received 3:30 – 8:00 PM, Thursday, May 2nd at Charles B. Jarvie Funeral Home 801 Pittsburgh Street, Springdale PA.  Mass of Christian burial is 10:00 AM, May 3rd. at Our Lady of Victory Church/Guardian Angel Parish, Harwick, PA.  PLEASE meet at church. with burial to follow in Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Tarentum PA. www.jarviefuneralhome.com

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