Known as Bala Cynwyd‘s honorary mayor, Gerald A. “Jerry” Francis had quite an impact on his community. The 79-year-old preservationist, entrepreneur, library worker, author, husband, and father passed away in March.  

Francis dedicated his life to his hometown.

He was president of the Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd for 35 years. He also served as president of the Lower Merion Historical Society for 22 years, reported Hira Qureshi for The Philadelphia Inquirer.  

He led the renovation of the Lower Merion Academy and restored the 1886 Cynwyd Train Station and the Cynwyd Heritage Trail.  

Francis was not only a valued community member but also had a very successful career. He is an alumnus of Villanova University and started his own company. In 1988, the U.S. government gave him a patent for its computer software.  

Despite his successes, Francis still dedicated his time to preserving and teaching history. He helped write The First 300: The Amazing and Rich History of Lower Merion for the Lower Merion Historical Society. He also routinely visited local elementary schools to speak about the history of the indigenous Lenape tribe.  

Read more about this Montgomery County community leader in The Philadelphia Inquirer.  

Jerry Francis shares his expertise on the revitalization of SEPTA‘s Cynwyd Station.