1920 – 2014

VENICE, Fla. — Francis V. Lough, 94, of Mount Vernon and Venice, Fla., a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, went peacefully to his final reward on Saturday, Aug. 9. Francis left us after only seven days as a resident patient at Tidewell Hospice House in Englewood, Fla.

Francis was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, N.Y., on March 30, 1920, to first-generation Irish Americans Francis Patrick Lough and Elizabeth (Gorman) Lough. Fran dedicated his life to his family, faith and country. A Navy veteran of World War II, Fran served his country proudly aboard the USS Apollo in the South Pacific.

Fran was educated in Catholic schools in Brooklyn, until his family moved to Peekskill, N.Y. He then attended Peekskill schools and graduated from Peekskill High School in 1938, and became a prominent member of the community for 45 years. He then moved to Maine and became the third-largest egg producer in New England.

Fran was a devout Catholic, and was generous and kind to all. Some of the many organizations he belonged to included being president of the Peekskill Lions Club, member of the board of directors of Peekskill Community Hospital and Real Estate Board of Review and president of the Peekskill Chamber of Commerce. He was also inducted into the Peekskill High School Alumni Hall of Honor. Later, as an egg producer, he was a member of the United Egg Producers.

During his lifetime, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to owning and operating two radio stations, a demolition business, a plumbing business and a real estate firm, as well as a rock quarry and his final venture, an egg production company, even though he never ate an egg in his life. He was known for his sense of humor, optimism and endless storytelling.

Fran is survived by his loving wife and partner of 41 years, Dorothy (Feltman) Lough; his children, Robert and his wife, Nancy, Richard and his wife, Patricia, Dorothy Dono, John and his wife, Julia, Bernadette Schmitt and LeBaron Schmitt, Mary Normile and her husband, Thomas, and his son, Thomas; as well as 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Murial Cottrell and Dorothy Baker; his first wife, whom he married in the 1940s and was mother to his eight children, Dorothy (Wessells) Lough; and his first son, Francis.

Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of www.khrfuneralhomes.com.