Francis J. McCoy, 91, sales executive

Francis J. McCoy, 91, of Springfield, Delaware County, a car sales executive and a tireless civic worker, died Sunday, Sept. 28, of cancer at Broomall Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Known as "Fran," Mr. McCoy landed a job in 1946 as the parts manager for Terminal Chevrolet in Upper Darby. He rose to sales manager, beginning a four-decade career as a car sales executive.

Mr. McCoy moved to Ferraro Cadillac in Springfield as the used car sales manager in the 1960s and 1970s. He went on to become general manager of Videon Dodge in Edgmont before retiring in 1985.

Born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, he lived there until age 11, and moved with his family to Collingdale. He graduated from Collingdale High School in 1941. A year later, he enlisted in the Army.

Mr. McCoy was deployed with the 510th Bomb Squad, 351st Bomb Group, to an air base south of London, where he armed bombs and loaded them onto B-17s prior to air strikes over central Europe.

He also removed bombs from damaged planes that had limped back to base, he told family. He was honorably discharged in 1945 with the rank of sergeant.

Mr. McCoy married Ann Busch in 1949. They began their life together in Secane, but in 1956 moved to Springfield. They raised six children.

"Despite myriad interests, Mr. McCoy kept family first," his relatives said in a tribute. "He was the pillar of support for his brothers, sisters, cousins, and their families when they needed help."

All six of his children recalled their father's willingness to listen, his clear advice, and sometimes his direct intervention in thorny situations.

In retirement, Mr. McCoy turned his attention to his former hometown, Collingdale, and to the safety of his Springfield neighborhood.

After Collingdale High School closed in 1982 in a school merger that formed the Southeast Delco School District, Mr. McCoy was determined to keep the school's spirit alive. So he formed the Collingdale High School Alumni Association and published an alumni bulletin for the next 32 years.

"He got a computer and taught himself publishing. It was just amazing," said his daughter, Suzanne Futrelle.

In 1997, Mr. McCoy was named an honorary citizen of Collingdale in recognition of his dedication to the school and the town.

"He is one of the finest people who ever lived in this town," said Collingdale Mayor Tom Kelly in 2002. "The alumni association would not have happened without his dedication."

Mr. McCoy and the alumni association also pushed to create the Collingdale All War Memorial to honor local veterans who had served in World War I and II, as well as in Korea and Vietnam. The memorial was dedicated on the former high school grounds in 1997.

"We wanted to do something worthwhile, to give back to the community. The fact that so many alumni came forward to help shows the school was something special," Mr. McCoy said then.

He created the Neighborhood Watch crime prevention program in Springfield in 1976. A longtime leader of the program, he was honored in 2004 with the Governor's Award during a ceremony in Harrisburg.

A passionate sports fan, he began by taking a trolley to watch the Philadelphia A's at the age of 12. He followed the Phillies and the Eagles for years.

Besides his daughter, he is survived by another daughter, Terry Kuethe; sons Jack, Steve, Ken, and Neil; friend Yolanda Doyle; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His wife died in 2007.

A viewing at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, will be followed by a 10:30 Funeral Mass at St. Dorothy Church, 4910 Township Line Rd., Drexel Hill. Interment is in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery.

Donations may be sent to Collingdale High School Alumni Association, Box 1426, Collingdale, Pa. 19023.

610-313-8102