Francis Greco, 84, of Shippenville joined his beloved wife on January 11, 2014. He was born October 20, 1929 in McKeesport, PA to Peter and Rosina (Costa) Greco, Italian immigrants, making him a first generation American citizen. Growing up during the Great Depression instilled in him strong family values, a solid work ethic and a respect for saving money, all of which he leaves as a legacy to his adoring children and grandchildren.
As a young man, he attended McKeesport High School and worked a number of jobs, including selling newspapers, assembling pasta machines and scooping ice cream at Isaly’s. Legend has it that he met his future bride, Audrey Strager at Isaly’s. They married on April 16, 1955, celebrating 52 years of marriage on earth. We believe their love story continues.
He graduated from Duquesne University, earning multiple degrees from the Pittsburgh institution. He earned his Bachelor’s in Music in 1951, the first person in his family to earn an advanced degree. Always a student, he continued his education at Duquesne by earning a Master’s in Music Education in 1955, an additional Master’s of English in 1966 and completed the trifecta with a PhD in English in 1969.
After completing ROTC, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Europe during the Korean War. After active duty, he served in the Army Reserves and retired after 27 years of service at the rank of Colonel. He earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the National Defense Service Medal.
He taught his love of music to high school students in West Virginia, Michigan, and directed the band and orchestra at Carrick High School from 1955-67. In the late 60’s, he taught music by day, adult education classes at night, and returned to Duquesne to fulfill the requirements for his PhD in English in 1969.
Francis and Audrey moved their family to Shippenville in 1967 when he took a faculty position at Clarion University (then Clarion State College), with an expertise in Spenser and Chaucer. Clarion was his academic home for 24 years, where he rose to the rank of Full Professor and served as Department Chair for the English Department (1981-85). When needed, he served as Interim Dean of the College of Continuing Education and Graduate School before retiring in 1991. He attended three NEH Summer Institutes studying Milton, Don Quixote, and Tasso-Ariosto. He retired from the ivory tower, but he was an avid student of literature and music, every day, until he left this world. He was once quoted: “I see myself as a student more than a teacher. I always like to learn and I hope that idea has rubbed off on my students. I have pursued learning for its own sake rather than practical purposes.”
Perhaps he has rejoined his former teachers and other great minds, and his learning will never end.
The true legacy that Francis and Audrey leave is their adoring children: Rhonda Greco-Killen (Jerry), Pearland, TX; Roberta Greco Digby (Robert), Alpharetta, GA; Tammy Greco (Jon Fliegel), Madison, WI; Gina Greco Sdao, (Cumming, GA); Mary Greco-Tapling (Mark), Santa Barbara, CA, and Anthony (Marisa) Greco, Carnegie, PA. He was a loving father and will be greatly missed. He is also survived by one brother, Michael (Terry) Greco of Dillsburg, PA; a sister-in-law, Mary Lou Strager of McKeesport, and numerous nieces, nephews great nieces, and great nephews.
He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Audrey; his parents, Peter Greco and Rose DiVencentis; a brother, Victor Greco, and his beloved son, Paul Greco.
His legacy also includes his beautiful grandchildren, Niki (Matt) Isaia, Alyssa Digby, Austin Piske, Alexus Piske, Brittany Sdao, and Gabrielle Greco.
Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood Street in Clarion where a private family funeral service with Pastor Monty Sayers of Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday January 16, 2014, with a short visitation one hour before the service. Interment will be in the Immaculate Conception Mausoleum, right beside his wife.
Friends, family, former students, and colleagues may send online condolences, share memories, and obtain additional information by visiting the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory website at www.goblefh.net.
The family would like to thank Rebecca, for brightening Wednesday afternoons for 12 years as they read The Complete Faerie Queen, Shakespeare Plays, and other fine literature. We extend a heartfelt thanks to the best neighbor ever, Shelly for helpful errands, evening coffee and treats, and anything we ever needed. We are grateful for the excellent loving care from the health care team at the Clarion Cancer Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Audrey Greco Endowment fund at the Clarion Cancer Center.
“When he shall die,/Take him and cut him into little stars,/And he will make the face of heaven so fine/That all the world will be in love with the night/And pay no worship to the garish sun.” –Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Rest in peace, our sweet courageous hero, job well done. Until we meet again.