Francis E. Stein of Montgomery, loving husband of the late Marilyn J. Stein, devoted father of six, retired Elementary School principal, former part-time Palisades police officer, Eagle Scout, former Scoutmaster and US Marine died Friday, August 4, 2023. He was 93.
The son of the late Frank H. and Cecilia Kircher Stein, Francis was born December 15, 1929, in Rochester, NY and grew up in the suburb of Irondequoit. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School and studied at Brockport State University, where he earned his BA in Education. During his college career he enrolled in the NROTC and became a Mustang, training at both Parris Island and at Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. After college he became a first lieutenant in the US Marines Corps. He married Marilyn Boland in 1953.
After the Marines, Francis taught in Peru and Keeseville, NY and later moved south to Stony Point, NY, where he taught in Clarkstown. He earned a Master’s of School Administration from Columbia University and became the Principal at Street School and then Woodglen Elementary School in Clarkstown. He loved teaching, interacting with kids, and even created a Values Curriculum. His educational career intersected with his work with Boys Scouts of America, where he spent years as a Scoutmaster and mentor for other Scoutmasters in the Hudson Valley Council. Francis loved Native American lore, attended Philmont Scout Ranch in Arizona and multiple Boy Scout World Jamborees in places such as South Korea and Amsterdam. Storytelling was Francis’ way to enthrall his audiences while teaching life lessons.
Francis was predeceased by his loving wife of 57 years, Marilyn, and his daughter, Mary. Survivors include his brother George H. Stein and wife, Doris, of Southern Pines, NC; son Dr. James F. Stein and wife, Ray, of Accokeek, MD; son Dr. Thomas P. Stein and wife, Jodi, of Putnam Valley, NY; son Mr. Michael P. Stein and wife, Laura, of Montgomery, NY; son Dr. John J. Stein and wife, Maria, of Attleboro, MA; son Mr. Christopher M. Stein of Tulsa, OK; 12 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren, 4 nieces; and 10 great-nieces and nephews.
One of Francis’ greatest joys was bringing the family together for reunions where the laughs, card playing and “coffee” drinking never ended and everyone couldn’t wait until the next time.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at the Millspaugh Funeral Home, Walden.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 11, 2023 at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 2800 Route 17K Bullville. Burial will be after Mass at the Orange County Veterans Cemetery in Goshen.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.