Dr. Gilbert Harrington Francis

We travelled across the skies to all corners of the nation and into other countries and on to other continents. We sailed the high seas to interesting ports of call. We drank of life by being involved socially and professionally. We made new friends while still keeping the ones we had known before. We did crazy things but enjoyed doing them. We shared triumphs, sorrows, joys and disappointments, but above all we shared with each other a deep and abiding LOVE.

You are truly a great person and it is my blessing to have you as my LOVING partner. Please take good care of yourself now and always.

Most of all, thanks for loving me.

Always,

Gil

Dr. Gilbert (Gil) Harrington Francis

The President of St. John's University in describing Gilbert stated: "It was the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. who with eloquence and vision, articulated a dream of justice and equity. It has been men like Gilbert Francis who have dedicated their lives to the realization of that dream."

Born in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Arthur B. Francis and Winifred L. Hylton, Gilbert was blessed with five sisters, Roslyn (deceased), Claudette, Margaret (deceased), Elise and Elsa. “Gil” was educated in New York City at PS 93, Boys High and St. John's University where he earned a BBA . This was followed by graduate studies at City and Hunter Colleges of the City University and St. John's University before receiving a Doctor of Philosophy and then the Doctor of Laws Degrees. At both Boys High and City College, he earned varsity letters in track and field. As a member of the school's national championship team, Gil was inducted into the Boys High Athletic Hall of Fame.

Gil served in the United States Army as a military intelligence specialist in both Japan and Korea. Embracing the sentiment that "“Freedom is not free”, he served with distinction and was awarded the Army Service Medal for outstanding service.

Realizing that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, nor more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to lead the introduction of a new order of things, he was firmly committed to taking a leadership role in meeting the challenge and making a change in his various endeavors. Throughout his more than 55 years in the workforce, he was engaged in a wide variety of occupations. There were certainly some very tough times but the ultimate victories he achieved were more than sweet enough to compensate him adequately and then some.

Through service with agencies of the Federal and State of New Jersey governments on a few occasions, he achieved national recognition and acclaim. The most notable came when, as the head of Civil Rights for New Jersey, he ordered National Little Leagues to accept females. This decision was a key factor in forcing the federal government to implement Title IX, the Sex Discrimination Law, which had been passed but not implemented. This landmark decision positively affected women in all walks of life. Gil's personal contributions were cited in James Michner's book, Sports in America.

Getting involved in his community to help improve the human condition was important to Gil. The recipient of more than a hundred awards and citations, he was honored to have been nominated for the NAACP's coveted Spingarn Medal, receiving Phi Beta Sigma's Distinguished Service Key, being inducted into the National Pan-Hellenic Council's Wall of Fame, and awarded the Lions International Melvin Jones Fellow. Gil served in numerous leadership roles to include: being elected the 25th National President of the 2.5 million member National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc; over fourteen years on the national board of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. to include being Editor of the fraternity magazine, The Crescent, held offices with Florida's District 35D of Lions International. Gil also met four Presidents of the United States plus several other national and international leaders.

Gil always maintained a prominent, personal touch in his interactions with others, highlighted by his close family relationship with his wife, Edith; son, Dwayne; daughters Deborah and Denise; his sisters, four grandchildren: Dwayne II, Christine, Scott, and Sam; two great granddaughters: Isabella and Kristina, as well as a host of other loving family members.

Gil's professional life saw him in the roles of educator, analyst, investigator, civil/human/ rights activist, author, lecturer, and businessman. He also enjoyed traveling to more than 95 countries and 45 states; oil painting; singing; cooking for groups up to 250 guests; reading novels; and social dancing. His autobiography was initially written in 2000.

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Dr. Gilbert Francis’ name to: PHI BETA SIGMA NATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC., with a Memo line: Dr. Gilbert H. Francis Scholarship Fund, 145 Kennedy Street NW, Washington, DC 2001. (Phone: (202) 726-5434).

Gil’s theme and the focus of his endeavors were

to fully enjoy life by the sentiments of

"MY WAY."

The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Dr. Gilbert Francis’ name to:

PHI BETA SIGMA NATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC., with a Memo line: Dr. Gilbert H. Francis Scholarship Fund.

145 Kennedy Street NW

Washington, DC 2001

(202) 726-5434

REMEMBERING GIL

Hon. Bro. Dr. Gilbert H. Francis

DSC #74

By Peter M. Adams, Esq.

30th International President

President, The Distinguished Service Chapter

PHI BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY, INC.

Delivered at Omega Service, Melbourne FL, July 31, 2016

"Oh Sigma Dear, thou hast for years led brave men strong and free,

To thee we raise our hearts in song, we pledge our loyalty

To serve thee e'er in joy or pain, in sorrow or in strife,

We'll still proclaim in loud refrain:

Phi Beta is the life!"

I remember Brother Gil Francis as a very organized, friendly, upstanding individual, a passionate and proud man of Sigma.

He was meticulous - I think of his penmanship, his clothes closet ( Gil's clothes were neatly organized by color, etc.), His adherence to protocol, and sense of order and public decorum was legendary. He was the Grand Marshall for our National Convention and Regional Galas. Despite his statesman-like bearing, he was warm and personable.

He was inspired to join the Fraternity before being shipped out to the military and promptly made good on this goal in 1960, upon returning from active service. Influenced by some national Sigma stalwarts : Bill Doar, Richie Alleyne, Syd Moshette and others, he immersed himself in Sigmadom quite early, and would become one of the youngest Brothers to be inducted into the Distinguished Service Chapter in 1973. Of the only 178 members inducted in the Fraternity's 102 year history, he holds DSC #74. He also served as President of the Distinguished Service Chapter. Gil's Sigma credentials also include serving as the 9th Eastern Regional Director (1970-73), National Director of Social Action, and as Editor In Chief of The Crescent magazine.

He was also active in the larger PanHellenic world, serving as the 25th President of the National PanHellenic Council comprised of the now nine historically black fraternities and sororities.

He credited the Fraternity with introducing him to his wife at an Orchid Ball. His beloved wife, Edith, was the International Grand Basileus of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, the sister organization to Phi Beta Sigma, Gil and Edith were wonderful standard bearers for the Blue and White Family for very many years. Edith was not only Gil's sweetheart, but was the darling of his fraternity Brothers as well - a Greek couple supreme!

You can imagine his delight when his son Dwayne became his Brother in Sigma.

He always maintained his Brooklyn roots, keeping his active membership in Kappa Beta Sigma graduate chapter.

In 2010, the Fraternity saw fit to recognize Gil in a special Gala in Melbourne, Fl , presented him with the Presidential Service Pin, and established the Dr Gilbert H. Francis Scholarship Fund.

His record of service and advocacy, his accomplishments, his ardent love of Sigma and his Brothers, his affable nature, provide a legacy and example to emulate and to cherish.

We thank Edith, Dwayne, Deborah and Denise for sharing this man of character and caring with us, and we will carry his memory with pride.

When he was honored at the Presidents Ball in Philadelphia a few years ago, he lustily belted out in song: "I did it My Way", and he did ,as he made an impact during his sojourn this way!

We will miss Gil; but we know that he is received by that Blue and White host up yonder, with great adulation and high fives.

May his soul rest in peace with his Father.