Francis Joseph Angeline, 83, of Endicott, NY, passed away on July 6, 2018 at Sunrise Senior Living Center, in Exton, Pennsylvania. He is predeceased by his parents Leandra and Frank, as well as his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Grace and Loftus Hanley. His beloved wife, Pat, passed away in November, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage, and not a moment passed without him speaking of, or thinking about Patricia after her passing. He is survived by his three children and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Kathleen, Laurence, and Vaun. He and his wife Patricia shared great pride and joy in their grandchildren: Ryley, Cary, Jessica, Andre, Anton, Chloe and Chelsea. It is easy to tick off Fran’s accomplishments: captain of the Union Endicott football team in 1951, tight end and defensive end; captain of the Colgate team playing the same positions in 1952-1955; he coached for Johnson City in 1957-1959. But it was Union Endicott High School, where Coach Angeline really made his mark. He was the tennis coach and football coach throughout his career from 1960-1992, and it was there, under the lights, where he brought pride and guts to the game. He paced the sidelines like a tiger at the ready, an eye trained on the game, poised to pounce on a questionable call by the officials, ever roaring commands to his players. With Fran at the helm, the Tigers won 219 victories, two New York State championships, in 1979 and 1989, and Fran was named New York State coach of the year in 1979 and 1989. In 1979, he was honored with the National High School Coach of the Year award. In 2014 the U-E field house was named after Fran. Selected to the Section 4 Sports Hall of Fame, the Union-Endicott High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Greater Binghamton Area Sports Hall of Fame, it is little wonder that in 2008, Fran was honored to be included amongst a select few honored as a distinguished U-E alumni who made a difference, an award shared by world famous figures, some– professional athletes. Fran did not just write x’s and o’s and bark commands on the sidelines, though. He was a father figure to his young men—offering condolences to the grieving amongst his players—to the fatherless, he hugged them closer and nurtured their wounds. He built up the football program by building up boys to men, through discipline, respect, dignity and the unwavering belief that every young man deserves a shot, regardless of size or talent, at being the best he can be—on and off the field. Far more than a coach and athlete, Fran played the violin and piano as a child, winning competitions, and—a crooner–no one could harmonize better. Every Christmas he arranged for his Latin and German classes to sing carols at local hospitals and nursing homes, offering the students extra credit for giving this gift to the sick and elderly. Fran participated in his community through sports, music, mentorship, teaching, authoring a book, volunteering for the Special Olympics and reading to the visually impaired. He expected all those he touched to participate in life with the same joy and enthusiasm. Whether it was through music, academics, artistic talents, or athletic pursuits, each child’s gifts brought Fran joy and an expectation that gifts are meant to be nurtured and shared. Fran believed every human being’s “reach should exceed his grasp,” or, as his favorite saying goes, “what is a heaven for?”
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday 10 am at St. Ambrose Church, 203 Washington Avenue, Endicott. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott Wednesday from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Fran and Pat Angeline Award that provides a yearly grant to a deserving UE student for his college studies. Please send donations to Broome Tioga BOCES CBO, attn. Robin Chalachan, 100 Marshall Drive, Endicott, NY 13760. Notes of condolences can be sent to Chris and Kathleen Angeline at 425 Prescott Drive, Chester Springs, PA 19425.