Brian Edward Francis

Brian was born on February 4, 1941 in Liverpool England to Josephine Hamill and Albert Edward Francis. Brian and his brother Colin were raised in Wavertree, Liverpool. When the two were teenagers, the family moved to Woolton Village, Liverpool. Colin remembers Brian having to wear specially made shoes to correct his gait, Brian hated them! In their younger days, they were both members of the Boys Brigade where Brian progressed through the ranks to Staff Sergeant. Influenced by the music genre in Liverpool at the time, young Brian took on the task of managing a local band known as The Young Ones. Brian left comprehensive school a year early to attend Skerries private College on Rodney Street in Liverpool, and following this in 1956 with the help of his mum, Brian secured an Electrical Engineers apprenticeship at Winstanley and Barnett in Liverpool town centre. Colin started the same apprenticeship two years later. It wasn’t too long after this that Brian was recruited for his skills as an Electrician by a well-known ex-boxer, Pat McAteer. Assisted by Pat, Brian then left his Liverpool roots to go and work in the United States, in 1964. That same year, he joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 26 and remained a member in good standing for over 50 years. True to his British roots, Brian also managed a local football (soccer) team after coming to the U.S. called the Ex-Pats. He was hired by Catalytic and went to work at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in 1971. In December 1977, Brian took the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony conducted in Baltimore, Maryland and became a US citizen. In February of 1983, while working at Calvert Cliffs, he was hired by Baltimore Gas & Electric where he held a number of positions utilizing skills of the trade until he retired in 2005. After retirement, he was self-employed as an electrician for three years. Brian married Sara Wood Stokes in 1968. The union lasted for over a decade until it ended in an amicable divorce. The two continued a lifelong relationship based on a shared history and mutual respect for one another, until her death. Brian has been an active member of the Waldorf Moose since December of 1973. He has held a number of offices within the organization, culminating in the position of Governor. In 2019, he received the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, that of Pilgrim Degree of Merit, in testimony of his years of service and sacrifice to the Fraternity. He has also volunteered his skills for local charities such as Habitat for Humanity as well as other employer related charitable community events. Brian made frequent trips to the UK, usually around Christmas or to participate in an important family event. He really enjoyed returning to his roots and reliving memories of his youth. Often family members would spend the day visiting Liverpool and Albert Doc where Brian would pick up Liverpool themed gifts for his friends in the US. He would rely on his niece's input on items for his female friends. The day included lunch and reminiscing during the drive back past places where Brian used to hang out in his youth. During each visit after his step granddaughter, Jenny, moved to the UK, the group would gather for a holiday meal at a different location. He looked forward to his trips home and was proud of his British heritage. Brian was friendly, upbeat and genuinely enjoyed the company of others. He was inclined to engage in good natured banter with anyone he knew. He was welcoming to strangers and treated casual acquaintances with respect. Consequently, Brian had a large circle of friends and strong, long-standing relationships. He was always willing to help family, friends or neighbors in need. Brian was a good man, responsible and thoughtful of others. Brian was well loved and touched the lives of all those that got to know him. He liked to keep up on current events through newspapers and television broadcasts. He kept abreast of news in the UK as well and he was an avid fan of his hometown soccer team. Brian is survived by his brother, Colin (NMN) Francis of Penketh, Warrington, a nephew, Neill Francis (Dr. Sarah Leonard) of Stockport, Manchester and niece, Nicola Francis Morgan (Ian Barlow) of Great Sankey, Warrington, all in England. Blended family members include, step-children, Susannah Becker (David) of Annapolis, Maryland and Robert aka Bruce Stokes (Michael) of Nanjemoy, Maryland, step-grandchildren, Jennifer Webster (Gavin) of Lancashire, England, Jessica Bridgett (BJ Gavin) of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Jackie Bridgett-Bowers (James) of Dentsville, Maryland and step-great grandchildren Louella and Maisy Bridgett-Bowers. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Waldorf Moose Lodge, 4765 Robert S. Crain Hwy, White Plains, MD 20695.

Brian Edward Francis

February 4, 1941 - December 4, 2024