Francis was born March 24, 1932 in Elizabeth, NJ, and he was the son of the late Francis and Elizabeth Hilbrandt. He was a self-employed ceramic tile professional, and he served in the US Air Force.
Husband of the beloved late Gladys M. Hilbrandt, who passed away in June of 2011 and father of the late Raymond Hilbrandt who passed away in March of 2018., He is survived by his sister, Kay Hilbrandt; his children, Donna, Daniel, John and Frank; seven grandchildren, Mellissa, Jennifer, Ashley, Steven, Christopher, Lauren and Cassandra; and 7 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 15, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the D'Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701. His funeral service will be conducted at 12 p.m. in the funeral home followed by burial in the BG William C. Doyle, New Jersey Veterans Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Road, Wrightstown, NJ 08562.