Beloved wife of Joseph Plut. Loving mother of Gordon Kee of Ottawa and grandson Kieran. Loved step-mother of Matthew Plut (Emily) of Calgary and Stephen Chelli of Tasmania. Dear sister of David Hubbard (Patricia) and Ruth Lovinsohn. Brenda will be fondly remembered by her nieces, nephews and many friends.
A celebration of Brenda’s life will be planned for a later date. If so desired memorial donations to the Alliston & District Humane Society would be appreciated.
Richard Reid Francis passed away on July 8th, 2023 with his wife Marilyn by his side.
Rick was born in Middletown, Connecticut in 1934 to Paul and Ruth Francis. He graduated from Choate School in 1952 and Wesleyan College in 1958. He spent 2 years in the Army from 1955-1957. While at Wesleyan he lettered in Football, Baseball and Track and earned Little All-American in football.
Rick joined the Faculty of Williston Academy in 1958 where he became the head football coach and a math teacher. He later added Basketball Coach and Athletic Director to his titles. Rick worked at Williston for 42 years, retiring in 2000.
Rick married Marilyn Koch on September 2nd, 1961 and they remained married for almost 62 years. Rick has two children; Jeff ’81 and Todd ’83. He has 5 grandchildren; Brooks, Chase, Grant, Sam and Sasha and 3 great grandchildren; Anthony, Cody and Caden. Rick was predeceased by his parents and his bother Paul “Frosty” Francis.
Rick was elected to the New England Prep School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, New England Basketball Hall of Fame and the Williston Northampton School Hall of Fame. Rick served as the President of both the Western Mass Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame and the New England Prep School Athletic Council.
Rick began attending Camp Monomoy (Cape Cod Sea Camps) in 1945 as a camper. He remained there as a camper and a counselor and eventually became the Program Director. This is where he met Marilyn, as her father Grant Koch, was the Director of Camp Monomoy. Rick retired from “Camp” in 2012.
Rick (and Marilyn) were avid sports spectators watching as many of their sons’ and grandchildren’s games as they possibly could. In their retirement, Rick and Marilyn moved to Cape Cod and travelled the world extensively for as long as they could.
There will be a Celebration of Life at Williston Northampton School on September 30th, 2023 at 1:00 PM. Donations in Rick’s name may be made to the Rick and Marilyn Francis Appreciation Fund at Williston Northampton School.
