Francis Holbrook

Francis Xavier Holbrook, of Flemington, passed away on the morning of December 11, 2014 at the age of 87. Born in Yonkers on November 10, 1927, Frank graduated from Fordham University in 1949 and returned to his high school alma mater, Fordham Preparatory School, in 1950, where he was an admired history teacher until his retirement in 1991. While teaching at the Prep , he earned his Masters and a PhD in History at Fordham University. Having been in the Air Force ROTC while in college, Frank served in active duty from 1952 to 1953, with most of his time spent serving as an Air Force Intelligence Officer in the Philippines. Toward the end of his Prep career, Frank co-authored the official history of Fordham Prep with his friend and colleague August Stellwag. Frank was inducted into the Fordham Prep Hall of Honor in 2007. Frank is also remembered for his many contributions after retiring. Frank was very active in the Hunterdon Senior Center. He gave weekly history lectures, and organized and participated in many other activities. He was active at the Senior Center for over 15 years. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara (Boehning) Holbrook; their six children: Elizabeth Palluzi of Basking Ridge, NJ, William Holbrook of Mount Vernon, NY, Francis Emmett Holbrook of Williston Park, NY, Jacqueline Barton of Yonkers, NY, Matthew Holbrook of South Portland, ME, and Luke Holbrook of Glassboro, NJ; and six grandchildren. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Magdalen’s Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ. Entombment will follow in St. Magdalen’s Mausoleum, Flemington, NJ. Friends may call at the Robert L. Ford Funeral Home, 38 Highway 31, Flemington, NJ on Monday, December 15, 2014 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. For more information or to send online condolences, please visit www.fordfuneralhome.com.