Obituary of Francis J Wiley

Francis J. Wiley, 73 passed away on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at The Pines, Allegany after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was comforted by the loving presence of his family by his side. Fran was born in Olean on March 27, 1948, the son of John and Helen (Szadlowski) Wiley Jr. He was formerly married to Kathleen E. Bushy. Fran was a 1966 graduate of Olean High School and a 1968 graduate of Alfred State College. He served in the United States Army Reserve from 1968 to 1978, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Fran went on to work at Acme Electric in Cuba as well as AVX Corp and the Jubilation in Olean, before retiring from Emerald Hill Estates in 2013. He was a member of the former Transfiguration Church in Olean from early childhood, where he later served in the Holy Name Society and volunteered for many years at the church’s annual Transfiguration Fest. Fran mostly enjoyed being with his family, especially the time spent with his grandchildren. He was fondly known by his family as an exceptional referee for the family’s annual “Turkey Bowl” and didn’t miss an opportunity to enjoy a family dinner, whether it was a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner at his mother’s home or a summer cookout. Fran instilled in his daughters the value of their education while being proud of their ability to know the difference between a pipe and an allen wrench. Fran is survived by his three daughters, Maureen (David) Miller of Nitro, W.Va., Gretchen (Scott) Copella of Olean and Grace (Thomas) Reale of Troy, NY, his former wife & friend Kathleen Wiley of Olean, six grandchildren; Luke (Brooke) Miller, Colleen Miller, Joseph and Jason Copella and Mackenzie and Fiammetta Reale; a brother Robert (Jacqueline) Wiley, and a sister Patricia Wiley, both of Olean, as well as his nephews and nieces. Friends will be received in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, 646 East State St., Olean on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friends will also be received at St. John’s Catholic Church on Wednesday Nov. 24, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at which time a Mass of Christian Burial will be held. Burial will be at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, at a later date. The family wishes to thank the staff of The Pines for their continual care and kindness over the years. Memorials may be made to the Olean Public Library, 134 N. Second St, Olean, NY 14760, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com