Jerome Anthony Francis

Jerome A. Francis, 43, of Hamilton, NJ, passed away on May 1, 2024. Jerome was affectionately known as "Dread", "Rasta" or "Father Romey". He was the first born of Lavina Maria Vassell and the late Gerald Augustus Francis (affectionately known as "Daddy Soft").
Jerome was born on February 11, 1981 in Kingston, Jamaica. He immigrated to Canada where he was educated, and later moved to the United States. He was a loyal and loving son, father, and husband. He always put his family first and believed he was everyone's protector.
Jerome married his loving wife, Keitha Francis, on May 27, 2021. Together they had a blended family that included his children: Jerisha, Jerome Jr., and Jermie (Tavia, the mother of these children), Jerika, Jernaja and Jerlyssa (Faith, the mother of these children), Kaiden (whom he had with his wife Keitha); and three stepchildren, Tatyana, Ashanté, and Macio Jr.
In addition to his father, Jerome was predeceased by his sister, Kimesha Smith; grandparents, Veronica Hewitt, Clifford Francis, and Winifred Mitchell; cousin, Phillis Darkin; and sister-in-law, Gay Renita Charles.
He leaves behind to cherish precious memories his loving wife, Keitha Francis; mother, Lavina Maria Vassell; stepfather, Gary Smith, Sr.; seven children: Jerisha Francis, Jerome Francis, Jr. (Danniel), Jermie Thompson-Francis, Jerika Francis, Jernaja Francis, Jerlyssa Francis, and Kaiden Francis; three stepchildren, Tatyana Sexton, Ashanté Sexton, and Macio Sexton, Jr.; two grandchildren, Alaia Francis and Jahzarah Blidi; six step grandchildren; two sibilings, Tamika Brown (Lascelles Peters) and Gary Smith, Jr.; father-in-law, Robert Charles (Ruth); special sister-in-law, Robin Charles; brother-in-law, Claude Henry (Keesha); three nieces, Layla Peters, Lailani Peters, and Laijah Peters; special aunt, Donna Peck; godmother, Cecilla Hinds; two special cousins, Sandra and Trudiann Hewitt; three special friends, Tallman, Dainroy and Phillip; and a host of other relatives and friends.