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BORN
1946
DIED
2019
FUNERAL HOME
Joseph Francis Obituary
He was born March 18, 1946, on Lennox Island Reserve, Prince Edward Island, Canada. He was a proud Mi'kmaq Indian who took pride in his traditional way of living, and raised his family with the same values.
He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Bertha Francis; sister, Jeanie Francis; and brother, Mike Knockwood.
Joseph will be remembered by his wife of 45 years, Martha Francis; his children, JoJo, Joey, Danny, Mooen, Tina, Kerry, Marisha, Misty and Fawn Francis; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one brother, Vernon; six sisters, Rita, Shirley, Audrey, Doreen, Sheila, and Wendy; and several nieces and nephews.
Joseph was a professional boxer in his mid to late teens. He put his career on hold to enlist in the U.S. Marines to serve in the Vietnam War where he was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with Combat V for his heroic efforts to save his platoon.
He was a 5-time Golden Gloves champion/New England champion and also had fought professionally in boxing for several years prior to enlisting in the Marines and after his return from war.
Joseph was a man who impacted many lives. He spent several years of his life helping to develop various sports programs that helped the youth in their community. He was a volunteer boxing coach/trainer at the MPAL for over a decade. He had trained many fighters who fought in the Golden Gloves and also went pro. His love for the sport of boxing and fitness ran in his veins.
He has created an inter-generational positive impact and will be greatly missed by all who have had the pleasure of knowing him and calling him dad whether blood-related or not.
Joseph was a truck driver for over 25 years, then retired. His love for his boxing gym and his own workouts were a huge part of him until his final days. He enjoyed spending all his time with his family and going to their activities and sporting events.
Most of all, Joseph enjoyed every moment he spent with his wife, Martha. Their love was unconditional and true, for each other and for their family.
SERVICES: Calling hours are Sunday, April 7, from 3-7 p.m. at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., corner of North Street, Manchester.
A cemetery service with military honors will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen.
To leave a message of condolence, visit www.lambertfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Francis
Ernie Paquette
May 20, 2019
TO you Joe / May God b with you All way,s Your Friend - Ernie..................
Jim Ganley
April 15, 2019
You left us way to soon, Joe. I read your manuscript. The story was an exceptional one. I submitted it for publication, but that time it didn't fly. Maybe your family can ship it out to another publishing house.
Jay Sanipass
April 10, 2019
Joey you were one of the best men i ever met in my life and as a young man growing up you took me under your wing like i was your own son. You had a tremendous impact on my life,you taught me how to be a fighter and never give up. It was an honour to have known you and to have learned from you.The Mi'kmaq Nation will always remember and honour your name.Rest in peace my friend.
Robert Beauchemin
April 9, 2019
A great Man in All Respects, A Brave Soldier!
Thank You, Lt.Col.Rob T. Beauchemin (USMC) Ret.
Kathy Casey
April 9, 2019
so sorry to hear of joey s passing my sincere condolences to the whole family ...
Roger
April 9, 2019
Semper Fi Marine!! I'm a friend of Wendy's Sorry for your loss!!
John Sullivan
April 9, 2019
From one old Marine to another I say SEMPER FI for a life well lived my brother GOD SPEED
stew delong
April 9, 2019
REST IN PEACE BROTHER, THANKYOU FOR YOUR SERVICE !!! AMEN !!!
Gary Clare
April 8, 2019
as you alreaDY KNOW THERE IS NO GOOD BYE IN OUR LAnguaGE SO I SAY TO YOU MY FRIEND I'LL SEE YOU Again
gary kenefick
April 8, 2019
Semper Fi, Marine. Thank you for your service. My condolences to the Francis family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Deb Young
April 8, 2019
My Uncle Joe was one of the Lord's best angels on earth. He and his wife opened their hearts and their home to so many young people who were looking for something stable to hold onto in their lives.
I could always count on a positive word from Uncle Joe as he read my posts on Facebook or looked through my pictures I shared with everyone.
He was always kind and generous with his praise and I love him for being the person he was. Thank you for being in my life. I will miss you until we all meet again.
April 7, 2019
I want to send my sincere condolences to the Francis family. Joe was a true hero and a great guy. I am a big boxing fan and on a couple of occasions I had the pleasure of talking boxing and Gold Gloves with Joe. May he Rest In Peace.
Louis Christy
April 7, 2019
Condolences to the Francis Family! I first met "Joey" at the YMCA downtown when I was in the 8th grade, he was finishing High School getting ready to head to Vietnam. He asked why I had bruises on my face? I told him that I was getting bullied and beaten up at my school. This disturbed him immensely, and he encouraged me to train with him and Willie Lafond then a retired professional Boxer, working at HP Hood Co. This changed my life and gave me the confidence to stand up for my rights. I trained and became a NH AAU Boxer all through High School. I competed for the YMCA in my later years as a AAU Weightlifter. His inspiration was incredible, and I have respected his service to our country as a combat veteran. I will never forget him, an awesome guy!!! I wish all his family the very best! I recently retired with 22 years of Federal Service. I owe much of my accomplishments and success in my career due to his mentoring.
Brad White
April 7, 2019
We have all lost a hero, each in our way.
Joe, as a then-Canadian citizen, signed a blank check for any amount up to and including his life, to serve a country not yet his own, in Vietnam. Where on this earth do we find such strong yet gentle beings? He was "all give".
Wishing, Marty, his bride of 45 years and their generations of love, all possible comforts and healing, upon the loss of this inspiring gentle warrior. May each memory bring a smile, a laugh and a story to share. Rest in Peace, Marine and Patriarch.
PHILIP BRUNO
April 7, 2019
Thank you for your service and for a life of positive impact in this world. My brother and cousin joined USMC in 1968 and both went to Nam. Attending their graduation at Parris Island was one of the proudest days of my life.
Marines, like you sir, are in a class by themselves.
shirley lambiris
April 7, 2019
so proud of you being a marine and american indian bless your family
shirley lambiris
Angie Manni
April 7, 2019
I remember Joey from the Golden Glove days. He would train at the YMCA along with my cousin Butch Beaudette. He would workout way after everyone went home. He was a good man, plus we were both in the 26th Marines in Vietnam, we talked about Vietnam when I would run into him at the high school football games. R.I.P Joey, God Bless.
Kathy Baum (Paul)
April 7, 2019
Tina and family, my heart goes out to you all. So sorry for your huge loss.
Jeannie Collins
April 6, 2019
Dear Francis family I want to extend my sincere condolences in your loss! I got the pleasure to meet Joe who was amazing man! May he Rest In Peace! Jeannie Collins
Bill Beaulieu
April 6, 2019
A shock and huge loss for me also.....a valued friend for many years. My deepest sympathy to Marty and family. RIP.
Kerry Watts
April 6, 2019
R.I.P Dad this feels so unreal. You where a really good man I remember when I first met you over 25 years ago we would to back and forth with the jokes. Your sure going to be missed by all. I love you now you can rest easy.xoxo
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