Francis "Fran" Raymond Dickson

Frank “Fran” R. Dickson, age 85 of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania passed on July 23, 2023 at home

Born on January 9, 1938, Fran was raised and educated in Pitman, New Jersey, Fran was the son of Francis R. Dick, Jr. and Clara Mary Burke Dick.  He graduated from Pitman High School, earned a B.A. at Rutgers University in Camden and a M.A. in Human Development at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where Fran was invited to become a Teaching Fellow in their Master’s Program.

From early on in his childhood, Fran loved sports!  He was an excellent athlete as he “lettered” seven times in basketball, football and baseball in high school and 7 letters in College in spite of having fractured his back in high school.  He was inducted into the Rutgers Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, having a 60 year unbroken basketball rebound record of 31 rebounds in one game and 317 in a 15 game season.  He was an avid tennis player and golfer prior to being totally disabled after several back and neck surgeries.

Fran joined New York Life Insurance after college.  After earning all his insurance credentials, he became one of the youngest general managers and built the organization into one of New York Life’s largest producing agencies.  Fran was recruited by the Acacia Group (Ameritas) in Washington DC, where he managed several offices throughout Maryland and Virginia and once again built them into the top producing offices; winning the “Agency of the Year” in New Jersey and also in Washington D.C twice.  His management style was one based on “Servant Leadership”.  He taught how to be successful because they were having fun and caring for their fellow man.

Fran was a deeply spiritual man who loved and cared about people.  He was gentle, kind and thought of others first.  He always had a suggestion to improve their lives.  A true teacher in his approach to everything, whether in business, sports and most importantly for his family and friends.

Fran is survived by his loving wife, Aurora and his three children, Debra Sampson (Richard), Francis Dicari (Janean) and Pamela Drennen (Robert); eight grandchildren, Dineen Driskill (Alec) Richard Sampson, Korbyn Dicari (Anna) Domenic Dicari, Siena Dicari, Robert Drennen, Deanna Drennen and Ryan Drennen, whom all graduated from college and some with graduate degrees.  Also survived by three great-grandchildren, Peyton, Addison and Faye Driskill and his brother, Robert Dickson.  He was so proud of them all!

A viewing will be from 10:30AM until 11:30AM with a Catholic prayer service at 11:30AM on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at the LONGWOOD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION of MATTHEW GENEREUX, 913 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA.  Burial will follow in Longwood Cemetery, 945 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Fran’s memory to the Longwood Fire Company, https://www.longwoodfireco.com/content/paypal/

To view the funeral home service LIVE click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vsJtgKN4x0

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