Daniel "Dan" Morris Francis, 82, of Brewerton, NY died peacefully on August 31, 2023, after a long illness. The son of Frank and Emily Francis, he was born in Syracuse, NY on January 28, 1941. He grew up on the North Side of Syracuse and excelled at basketball and other sports at North High School. Dan attended NYS Agricultural & Technical Institute at Delhi, and met "the love of his life," his wife of 61 years, Josephine "Jo" Gudell, while a student at Delhi. After they married in 1962, they moved to Syracuse and raised their children, Billy and Amy, in North Syracuse.

After a career as a project engineer at O'Brien & Gere in Syracuse, and then a partner JJ Lane Construction, Inc., Dan and Jo retired to Hilton Head, SC and Quogue, NY. Along the way Dan put his engineering skills to work designing and renovating the houses he and Jo lived in. Dan was an avid golfer and reader, and an SU basketball and football season ticket holder. "Poppy" loved to watch the NY Yankees and go to the beach with his grandchildren. He and Jo made frequent trips to Syracuse to spend time with their extended family and many friends, and they returned to the area and settled in Brewerton in 2013.

Dan was truly an all-around good guy who was always ready to help or share a kind word. He enjoyed spending time with friends, and his easy knack for conversation made strangers feel like friends.

He is survived by wife Josephine Francis, son William Francis (Elizabeth Callahan) of Cooperstown, daughter Amy Eddy of Liverpool, grandchildren Caitlyn (Joseph) Sheffield of Brockport, Daniel J Francis of Cooperstown, and Matilda Francis of New York, NY; great grandson Greyson Sheffield; and sister Sharon Lynn. Dan was blessed to have many life-long friends, and he is survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family members, including his "let's watch the game" buddy, nephew Frank (Judy) Francis of Liverpool. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Frank Francis, his sister, Mary Jane Lang, and his son-in-law, Bruce Eddy.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dan's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Central New York Chapter, 5051 Campuswood Dr, Suite 102, East Syracuse, NY 13057.

Arrangements, and a private family service, are under the direction of Maurer Funeral Home Moyers Corners, Baldwinsville, NY.

Please sign the Maurer Funeral Home on-line guestbook for Daniel to express your condolences to his family.