Francis Peter Weber

Francis Peter Weber... teacher, wood patternmaker, veteran, soccer referee.  Fran passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at Elkins Park hospital. 

He was born at 1341 N. Hancock St. in the shadow of the Schmidt's brewery on November 10, 1921.  His parents, grandparents and two siblings (Anthony and Adam, both deceased), moved to the 6000 block of Palmetto Street in the Marburg neighborhood.  This 6 block area between Landale and Cresentville was a small German community which is now known as Lawncrest.  The Lawncrest recreation grounds were, at that time, a water reservoir.  At Tabor Road and Godfrey Avenue was the Keystone brickyard which is now  the U. S. Navel Supply Center.  Fran attended the B. Franklin elementary school at Rising Sun and Cheltenham Avenues. After elementary school he attended Woodrow Wilson Jr. H. S. and then on to Olney H. S.  At the age of 10 he began serving the Evening Bulletin.  Five years later he began delivering ice for his neighbor Ernie Richter.  He did not like school so he quit and worked as a grocery clerk.  He then worked for the Bendix Aviation Corp. where aircraft instruments were made for the war effort.  In 1943 he was inducted into the U. S. Army and did his basic training at Ft. Bragg N. C. In August 1943 he was sent to N. Africa and then to Italy. He was honorably discharged after 3 years of service.  After the war he became an apprentice wood patternmaker, learning the trade from his brother Adam. After 5 years he became a mechanic in this field. He then wanted to gain more experience and worked for industrial companies like The Budd Co., Westinghouse, and Schutte & Koerting.  He also worked for 9 different "job shops".  He applied to the Philadelphia. Board of Education. for a wood shop teaching position.  To become a teacher in this field he had to have at least 10 years working as a wood patternmaker.  He was appointed to a teaching position on September 8th 1960.  In order to retain his position he had to acquire 6 college credits per year.  He attended the University. of Pennsylvania and Temple University for 12 years.  His first position was at the Fairhill school at Somerset and Marshall Streets. After 2 years he was assigned to the Youth Development Center at Front and Luzern Streets. The facility was then moved to Neshaminy.  He ended his career as a vocational cabinetmaker instructor at George Washington H. S. He retired in February of 1985.  Fran became a soccer referee in 1954.  In his 48 years he officiated at all levels from novice to professional, high school and college. He was an award winning member of the Philadelphia, Eastern Pennsylvania, Collegiate Referees and Old Timers Soccer Associations.  He was a dedicated life member of the United German Hungarians Club of Phila.& Vicinity.  Due to a heart condition he reluctantly retired from the playing field at the age of 82.  He leaves behind his wife Ann C.(nee Stoffel), his sons Francis and Thomas and daughter Meg, along with 7 grandchildren.    

Contributions in his memory can be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 117 S.. 17th St., Phila., Pa.