Francis P. McAleer | Tool firm owner, 78

Francis P. McAleer, 78, of Maple Glen, who operated a tool company in Philadelphia's Germantown section for 25 years, died Monday, March 25, in a single-car accident near Millville, N.J.

Mr. McAleer was driving north on Route 55 about 11 a.m. when his car went off the road and struck a tree, police said.

He operated B&F Tool Shop in the 6300 block of Musgrave Street for 25 years before he retired in 1994. The company repaired large machines.

Mr. McAleer was born on Feb. 24, 1935 in Philadelphia, the son of Francis and Katherine McAleer. He was raised in Germantown.

Mr. McAleer graduated from high school at St. Joseph's Seminary in Princeton. He later earned a bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering at Drexel University.

In 1960 he married Barbara Townsend, to whom he was introduced by family friends. They had three children.

He began working at Philadelphia Steel & Wire Co. in Germantown and Northeast Philadelphia before launching his company.

Mr. McAleer was an avid reader who enjoyed works of history and biblical history.

He also liked visiting friends in nursing homes and hospitals.

"He loved telling jokes and making people laugh," said his daughter, Michelle Dobson.

Mr. McAleer was a volunteer at the Free Library of Philadelphia. He also worked as a volunteer at Robbins Park Environmental Education Center in Upper Dublin, where he conducted nature tours for classes of schoolchildren.

He was a member of the Bible Club at St. Alphonsus Church in Maple Glen.

In addition to his wife and his daughter, Mr. McAleer is survived by a son, Brian; another daughter, Suzanne Devlin; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Calling hours will be 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday, April 1, at St. Alphonsus Church, 33 Conwell Dr., Maple Glen. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11. Interment will be private.

Donations may be made to the Friends of Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Ave., Fort Washington, Pa. 19034.