Army was named Francis, after his father, and raised during the depression. He played football in high school and was referred to in his yearbook as 'a man of power out on the field'. He also worked in one of the local steel mills before enlisting in the Navy. During WWII he served as a SPA3 (Specialist - Physical Training Instructor - 3RD Class Petty Officer) mainly teaching others how to swim, which brought him to Jacksonville, FL. His daughter was born at the naval air station in Jacksonville and he lived most of the rest of his life in this area. While many of his friends referred to him as 'Army', others also knew him as 'Shorty', or 'Uncle Shorty' to many of his nieces, nephews and other extended family members.
Although he had a successful career in food service, it was not what defined him. He and his brother opened Armstrong Brothers Hardware @ 1960 and his brother expanded into real estate while Shorty made his career in food service. Afterwards, he spent the majority of his working life as a hands on supervisor of several construction crews for his brother's construction company. He was responsible for building many sub-divisions, retail centers, and office complexes in the Orange Park area. He also built several of his own homes, plus a house and various other buildings for some of his wife's relatives.
Uncle Shorty was a great role model and mentored several nephews through some of their life challenges and will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all that knew, loved and respected him.
Although he had a successful career in food service, it was not what defined him. He and his brother opened Armstrong Brothers Hardware @ 1960 and his brother expanded into real estate while Shorty made his career in food service. Afterwards, he spent the majority of his working life as a hands on supervisor of several construction crews for his brother's construction company. He was responsible for building many sub-divisions, retail centers, and office complexes in the Orange Park area. He also built several of his own homes, plus a house and various other buildings for some of his wife's relatives.
Uncle Shorty was a great role model and mentored several nephews through some of their life challenges and will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all that knew, loved and respected him.
Army was named Francis, after his father, and raised during the depression. He played football in high school and was referred to in his yearbook as 'a man of power out on the field'. He also worked in one of the local steel mills before enlisting in the Navy. During WWII he served as a SPA3 (Specialist - Physical Training Instructor - 3RD Class Petty Officer) mainly teaching others how to swim, which brought him to Jacksonville, FL. His daughter was born at the naval air station in Jacksonville and he lived most of the rest of his life in this area. While many of his friends referred to him as 'Army', others also knew him as 'Shorty', or 'Uncle Shorty' to many of his nieces, nephews and other extended family members.
Although he had a successful career in food service, it was not what defined him. He and his brother opened Armstrong Brothers Hardware @ 1960 and his brother expanded into real estate while Shorty made his career in food service. Afterwards, he spent the majority of his working life as a hands on supervisor of several construction crews for his brother's construction company. He was responsible for building many sub-divisions, retail centers, and office complexes in the Orange Park area. He also built several of his own homes, plus a house and various other buildings for some of his wife's relatives.
Uncle Shorty was a great role model and mentored several nephews through some of their life challenges and will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all that knew, loved and respected him.
Although he had a successful career in food service, it was not what defined him. He and his brother opened Armstrong Brothers Hardware @ 1960 and his brother expanded into real estate while Shorty made his career in food service. Afterwards, he spent the majority of his working life as a hands on supervisor of several construction crews for his brother's construction company. He was responsible for building many sub-divisions, retail centers, and office complexes in the Orange Park area. He also built several of his own homes, plus a house and various other buildings for some of his wife's relatives.
Uncle Shorty was a great role model and mentored several nephews through some of their life challenges and will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all that knew, loved and respected him.
Inscription
SPA3 US Navy World War II
Gravesite Details
Grave site is located in the Garden of the Last Supper
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