Obituary of Francis R. Crofton

Francis R. Crofton, age 89, passed away at St. Mary’s at Asbury Ridge in Erie, PA on Thursday, January 28, 2016 following a brief illness. He was born on September 30, 1926 in Scranton, PA, the son of the late Thomas J. and Margaret Murray Crofton. He was a 1944 graduate of Holy Rosary H.S. Upon graduation he enlisted in the Navy serving in World War II in Saipan, Guam, and others in the Marshall and Marianas Islands. He was responsible for building and maintaining airstrips for Navy fighter-supported B-29 strikes against the enemy. Francis was discharged in 1946, returned home to Scranton where he earned his BS degree from the University of Scranton in 1950. He married Dorothy Fletcher on October 13, 1951, had a short honeymoon of five days, and was called back to the Korean War and assigned to the Admiral’s staff, 1st Naval District Communications in Boston, Mass. Francis then returned to Scranton to begin his career at Colonial Airlines and was soon transferred to Philadelphia until the Colonial-Eastern merger. He went on to be the Operations and Customer Services manager for Eastern Airlines in Saranac, NY. He returned to Scranton and began a career in construction supervision, surveying, and construction engineering from which he retired. In 2013, Francis and Dorothy moved to Erie, PA to reside with their daughter. A lifelong Boston Red Sox fan and Notre Dame supporter, he was fond of aviation, enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles, hunting, and carpentry. Francis is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Fletcher Crofton; his daughter Marian D’Aurora and son-in-law Dr. Mario D’Aurora of Erie, his brother Paul of Tampa, FL; his grandchildren Francis D’Aurora (Laura) of Columbia, MD, Patrick D’Aurora (Carly) of Fairfax, VA, Elizabeth D’Aurora of Erie, his great grandchildren Vanessa and Brent D’Aurora of Columbia, MD, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Francis was preceded in death by his brothers Robert and Thomas. Friends are invited to call on Friday, February 5, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Edward Knight O’Donnell Funeral Home, 323 William Street, Scranton. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. with Mass at Mary, Mother of God Parish at Holy Rosary Church, 316 William Street, Scranton. Those attending the funeral are asked to proceed directly to the church. Burial will be at Cathedral Cemetery. Local arrangements were handled by the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. Memorial contributions may be made to Mary, Mother of God Parish at Holy Rosary Church, 316 William St., Scranton, PA 18508.