FIRST GENERATION

He graduated on 23 Jun 1920 from Toner Public School and on 18 Jun 1924 from Central High School (now Cordoza). In the Central Yearbook his fellow graduates wrote, "Possibly his being born in Atlantic City accounts for Swinny's gay and cheerful way of taking things. He doesn't worry; just takes things easy, and he doesn't miss getting along, either. He is a real Centralite with a hearty personality and a sure success with his modest, winning, smile." He was an Honor Graduate in Business at Temple School, on 2 Jan 1928 and he attended night classes with the emphasis on law at George Washington University between 1925 and 1937. All in Washington, DC.

Francis went to work for the Association of American Railroads in Washington, DC, starting as a mail clerk in 1920 and working up to Executive Assistant to the Chairman, Car Service Division in 1948. He was assigned to the Buffalo, NY office as a Car Service Agent during 1938-1939, and from July, 1940 to Dec. 1941, he was furloughed for duty as executive assistant, Transportation Division, Advisory Commission to Council of National Defense.

During World War II he received a deferment from military service because of his involvement with troop and materiel movements. Later he participated in the project which involved moving the Federal Government to a secret mountain location in the event of nuclear attack. He was a member of the Traffic Club of Washington; National Defense Transportation Association and Eastern Association of Car Service Officers. Although he had not attended any prior meetings, Swinny served as President of the Walter Johnson High School PTA during the year his son, David, was class president.

As a young man Swinny was very gregarious and had a strong sense of humor. He liked to play practical jokes and shock people with risque stories. Although he generally appeared to be a happy-go-lucky sort, underneath he was frustrated by his inability to move ahead farther in his career. A situation stemming from the fact that the Association always selected its chief officers from among member companies. His social drinking became obsessive over the years, and was the cause of many problems for him at home and at work, eventually becoming the underlying cause of his death.

He died on 20 Jun 1965 in Bethesda, Montgomery Co., MD and was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suitland, Prince George's Co., MD.

Return to Table of Contents