Mr. Francis Joseph LeMire

December 4, 1931 - July 16, 2020

Francis Le Mire Obituary On Thursday, July 16, 2020, Francis Joseph Le Mire of Towson, Maryland, passed away leaving behind a legacy of love for his family and a full appreciation of his life’s experiences. Francis – lovingly known as Fran (or "Frannie the Big Kid” to his grandkids) – was born on December 4, 1931 in Newaygo, Michigan as one of six children to Romeo Le Mire and Elizabeth Peacock Le Mire. Fran and his siblings Mary Hiaeshutter, Denise Brannick, Harold Le Mire, George Le Mire and Auverne Le Mire enjoyed sports and games growing up. This sparked a playfully competitive spirit that he took with him throughout his life and inevitably passed down to his children and grandkids. Fran radiated positivity, always smiling and perpetually cracking jokes. He smiled widest when he was with his wife of 63 years, Connie Le Mire; their children Michael Le Mire, Laura Le Mire and Andrea O’Connor; and their seven grandkids Katherine Rees, William Rees III, Brendan O’Connor, Keegan O’Connor, Kaeli O’Connor, Connor Le Mire and Max Le Mire. They were frequently spotted together at the dining room table with a deck of cards or in the backyard with croquet mallets in hand. And Fran would win every game. He would always win. He taught his family just how good a bad joke could be, how important education is, how beautiful it is to travel around the world and most importantly, how to not take anything in life for granted. During a two-year stint in the army, Fran was based in Germany and used his time on leave to travel Europe extensively as he explored and appreciated every country he stepped foot in. He enjoyed meeting new people, and as an educator, certainly left an impact. As he shifted from a teacher to later become a dean at Towson State College (what is now Towson University), Fran’s goal was to supersede the norm of limited interaction with students and made it his goal to meet as many students as possible. He succeeded. Almost every day for 30 years Fran spent lunch hour playing pickup basketball in the gym with students and handball at Towson Center with his diehard handball crew. He was even seen acting as quarterback for one of the student teams during Towson State College’s Santa Claus Anonymous Marathon flag football games. His devotion to the students was amplified as the Director of the Career Placement Center where he helped students on their pathways to success during school and after graduation. He made friends seamlessly, immersing himself in the local community wherever he went. He was well known in Towson through umping and refereeing youth, high school and adult leagues year-round. After retirement, Fran used his time for myriad volunteer work. His largest stint was with Our Daily Bread, volunteering for more than 25 years with a ready smile and an ear for conversation. Fran leaves us with a picture of happiness that reflects the positivity and love he experienced and exuded to others. He is survived by his loving wife, Connie; his sister Mary; his children Andi and Mike; and his grandchildren. He is predeceased by his daughter Laura and his siblings Harold, George, Auverne and Denise. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Laura E. LeMire STEM Scholarship Fund online or by check. Website: www.ccbcmd.edu/Support-CCBC/Giving-to-CCBC/Ways-to-Give/Donor-Recognition/Laura-Legacy.aspx If by check, you can mail your donation to: Alumni Relations Office College Community Center, Suite 242 7200 Sollers Point Road Baltimore, MD 21222 Make checks payable to CCBC Foundation and state the scholarship fund