Obituary for Francis Joseph Gies

Francis J. Gies, age 80, passed away suddenly on October 16, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He lived in Washington Township, New Jersey. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Francis was a proud, committed member of the Roofers Union Local 30 for nearly 60 years. There was never a dull moment with him, he lived his life fully, and always told (and often repeated) the best stories. He believed that you could never have enough elderly rescue dogs, crabbing trips with family, chips, Chinese food, and beer. As the patriarch of the Gies family, Francis had an impact on so many lives and will be deeply missed, loved, and remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Francis was the devoted husband to Mildred Gies, and previously to the late Natalie Gies Hargrove. He was the loving son of Francis and Sarah (Hunter) Gies; beloved father of Francis Gies of Cherry Hill, NJ, the late Lorraine Kircher Costanzo, Sarah (Joseph) Carangelo-Torres of Washington Township, NJ, David Gies of Clementon, NJ, and Dawn (Thomas) Gies Warrington of Stratford, NJ. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was the loving step-father of the late Daniel Steinberg (Kathleen Howard), Diane Steinberg (Robert Hendry), the late Mildred Steinberg (the late John Sterowitz), Herbert Steinberg (Rose Nagle), Sheila Steinberg, and Ronald Steinberg. He is also survived by 10 step grandchildren and 24 step great-grandchildren. Francis was the loving brother of Pat Rundell (the late Lenny Rundell), the late Sarah Gleaton, the late Mary Morrell, the late Elaine Schneider, George (Dorothy) Gies, James (Denise) Gies, and Billy Gies. He was the loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will take place on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 1:00 p.m., West Laurel Hill Funeral Home, 225 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA, where relatives and friends will be received from 12:00 noon until the time of the service. Interment in historic West Laurel Hill Cemetery will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the Voorhees Animal Orphanage, 419 Cooper Road, Voorhees Township, New Jersey, or at www.vaonj.org/donate/