Our Prayers go out to Mr. Franks and his family.

We'll always remember that

special smile that caring heart,

that warm embrace

always gave us.

Your being there

for mom and us,

through good and bad

times no matter what.

We'll always remember you

Dad because there'll never

be another one to replace

you in our hearts,

and the love we will

always have for you

Harry Elwood Franks, age 89, of Northfield, N.J., formerly of Langhorne, Pa., died December 7, 2007. He was the husband of 55 years of Joan Franks.

He was born and raised in Reading, Pa., until he left that area to join the Marines in 1941 to serve during World War II. After the war, he obtained his college degree from East Stroudsburg University, and undertook his graduate studies at Temple and Lehigh Universities.

He relocated to Langhorne in 1951, to become a football coach and teacher at Neshaminy High School. In 1952, he became the head football coach at Neshaminy, amassing an impressive 69-10-2 record, with eight straight Lower Bucks County League Titles. Harry established Neshaminy as such a football power that their home Stadium came to be known throughout the area as "Heartbreak Ridge."

After leaving the coaching ranks, he became Neshaminy's Athletic Director and Administrator in charge of Co-Curricular. He held that post until the mid 1970's when he took over the same reins at Neshaminy Maple Point. During his tenure at both schools, Harry started the successful Gym Night Program, brought the concrete stands and lights to Neshaminy. Harry retired from Neshaminy in 1983. In 1985, the Neshaminy School District renamed its football Stadium in his honor as Harry E. Franks Stadium. At the same time, Harry was the first inductee into the Neshaminy Football Hall of Fame.

Harry and his wife Joan relocated to Northfield N.J., in 2005, to be closer to their young grandchildren. Along with his wife; Harry is survived by daughter Joy Longenecker and her husband Paul of Annville, Pa.; Daughter Bonnie Ann Adams and her husband Peter of Oakford, Pa.; son Harry E. Franks Jr. and his wife Ellen of Linwood, N.J.; grandsons Zachary and Troy of Annville, Pa.; grandson Scott Adams of Fort Meyers, Fla.; granddaughter Lori Woodlief of Tenn.; grand-daughter and grandson Kelsey and Harry Stephen of Linwood, N.J.; and great-grandchildren Conor, Mackensey and Jael (deceased) of Tenn.

 

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