Obituary for Gerald Anthony Francis

          Gerald A. Francis (Jerry with a J) passed away peacefully on March 26, 2023.  He was born on June 5, 1943, the son of William Fowles Francis and Eva Francis ne Desimone and remained a lifetime member of the Bala Cynwyd community.  He attended St. Matthias School and Monsignor Bonner High School.  After graduating from Villanova with a BA, he worked in Falvey Library on campus while earning his Masters in Library Science.  Working for the Institute for Scientific Information and later for Biosis, he started his own company (Telebase) where in 1988, he received the first patent given for computer software from the U.S. Government.  
      His involvement in the community of Bala Cynwyd is legendary and his volunteerism is inspiring.  For 22 years, he served as President of the Lower Merion Historical Society, spearheading the renovation of the 1812 Quaker Schoolhouse (the Academy building) and cataloging its priceless collection open to all residents for use and research.  Jerry was also involved with the stabilization and restoration of the 1886 Cynwyd Train Station.  He conceived the idea of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail and helped to bring that idea to reality, later writing the historical signage installed along the trail.  Not limited to the Historical Society, Jerry also served as President of the NCBC and for many years was involved with the 4th of July Parade and celebration. 
       He is survived by his wife of 51 years Denise ne Hanouille and his three daughters, Suzanne (Vick Aita) of Ardmore, Angela of Abiquiu, N. M., and Sarah (Geoffrey Forney) of Mt. Airy and many nieces and nephews.  
       Services will be Saturday April 1st with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Bala Cynwyd at 11A.M. with burial to follow at Laurel Hill West. Visitation will be from 9-11 A.M. on Saturday at St. Matthias. In lieu of flowers contributions in Jerry’s honor can be made to St. Matthias Catholic Church, of Bala Cynwyd, The Lower Merion Historical Society, and the Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill.