Desmond, Francis

Description

Francis X. Desmond

Francis X. Desmond was born in New York in 1911 Emily Horacek and Frank P Desmond. He had one brother Arthur and in Rye his family lived at 233 Purchase Street. Francis was raised in Rye and attended Rye schools.

In July 1928 Francis and 22 other YMCA boys took of on a cross country trip lead by director Pa Cope.

LEAVING ON TRIP ACROSS CONTINENT Twenty-two Rye Boys Depart on Monday by Automobile on Long Sightseeing Trip’To Cook and Camp
Out on the Way.

“Pa” Cope, Y. M. C. A. secretary, and a number of older boys left Rye on a
tour of adventure, which they expected would take them to the Pacific Coast.
Most of the distance they planned to go by foot, hoping to obtain rides from
kindly motorists. Each member of the party took $100 which had to provide
for all expenses to Los Angeles and return. They expected to travel by way
of Niagara Falls, Cleveland, St. Louis, Colorado Springs, Grand Canyon, and
Los Angeles.
Among the boys who accompanied Mr. Cope were: Arthur Thomas, Fred
Parker, Robert Stewart, Fenton Heil, Richard Martin, Walter Bailey, Thomas
Kellard, Francis Desmond, William Wild.

Before the war, Francis worked for his father as a house painter. He married Dallys M. Smith June 10, 1939 in Fredericksburg, Virginia and they would have two sons.

He enlisted February 2, 1942 and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

After the war, he teamed with his brother to form Desmond Brothers Painting Contractors. He was involved in community affairs and was a member of the Rye Volunteer Fire Department.

Francis X. Desmond died November 10, 1993 and is buried in Greenwood Union Cemetery.