Francis J. Cox

Francis J. Cox, 86, of Fairhaven died Monday, June 5, 2023 at home after a period of declining health. He was the husband of Geraldine A. (McGrath) Cox.
Born in New Bedford, son of the late Joseph and Kathryn (Regan) Cox, he lived in New Bedford and Fairhaven for most of his life and was a graduate of Fairhaven High School.
Francis was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Fairhaven and was a recipient of the Marian Medal.
He served honorably in the United States Air Force, during which he was stationed in Newfoundland, Canada.
Francis was formerly employed as the owner and operator at Cox's Candies, later Dorothy Cox's Chocolates, for many years until his retirement.
He was a member and past president of the Fairhaven Rotary Club, member of the New England Retail Confectioners Club, member of Retail Confectioners International, past chairman of the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, past chairman of the Fairhaven Council on Aging, and board member at St. Joseph's School.
Gimp loved spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed watching the Red Sox and Patriots, listening to Frank Sinatra and spending time visiting candy stores all across the United States.
He is survived by his wife, Geraldine; three children, Francis Cox, Jr. and his wife Shirley, Dorothy Cox, and Timothy Cox and his wife Tina; six grandchildren, Mathew Cox and his wife Jen, Jonathan Cox and his wife Chevrie, Brian Cox and his wife Colleen, Todd Cox and his companion Rebecca Szwaja, Kathryn Cox, and Tara Cox; and four great-grandchildren, Harper, Willow, Sadie, and Henry Cox.
His Funeral will be held Friday, June 9, 2023 at 9 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 AM at St. Joseph's Church, Fairhaven. Burial will follow in Cushing Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Francis' memory may be made to the Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.