Francis X. Tannian
December 5, 1933 - March 1, 2025
Francis X. Tannian, age 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Willow Brooke Court at Cokesbury Village in Hockessin, DE, surrounded by family and friends.
A man of deep Christian faith, Francis was a devoted husband to the late Beatrix Laube Tannian and proud father. He is survived by Monica Tannian, M. Joyce, Mark, and Marcia Tannian, Michele Smith and his two grandchildren, Declan and Liam Smith. Francis is preceded in death by his wife, Beatrix, and son-in-law, Doug Smith.
Born on December 5, 1933, in Boston, MA, he was the youngest of three children to Irish immigrants John Tannian and Marie Killian. His early life, shaped by the values of family and heritage, taught him common sense from his sister Mary and the “You can do anything!” spirit from his brother Jack. His parents instilled in him both determination and curiosity that would fuel his lifelong love of learning and adventure.
Francis’ life took a bold turn when he was drafted into the Army after World War II. A casual conversation with a Sergeant led Francis to being stationed in Germany. Francis said “Yes!” to an unexpected opportunity to serve there—color blindness typically disqualified him, but he was granted the chance. It was in Germany that he met Beatrix, and in 1962 they married and began a family.
Before the draft, Francis earned his B.A. and M.A. from Boston College and started his Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Virginia. After completing his Ph.D. in 1965, he joined Duquesne University briefly, before securing a tenured position at the University of Delaware, where Monica, Joyce, Mark, and Michele grew up.
Francis was fully engaged in family life, carpooling kids to lessons, sports, and events while managing an academic career. He took sabbatical time in Germany, teaching at the University of Stuttgart and University of Karlsruhe, so his family could experience Beatrix’s heritage. His love for nature and adventure was evident in the trips he planned with Beatrix— hiking the Appalachian Trail with the ‘Wandervögel’ group or exploring the northern Cascades and Maine’s Moosehead Lake. These adventures always included the family and a summit tradition of setting a natural ‘table’ with a cloth for snacks and red wine.
To ensure his children received a good education, Francis worked as an Expert Witness in Personal Injury cases for over a decade. After retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2000, he supported his daughter Joyce in her initiative, Water is Life Kenya, which brings safe, clean water to the Maasai people in Southern Kenya.
A man of faith, Francis often said, “God has his hand in every aspect of our life, we just have to help shape it.” He lived these words as he lovingly cared for Beatrix during the nine years following her stroke, always saying ‘YES’ to making her life as full as possible. Even during COVID, he sat outside her window, continuing to find ways to support her. Francis never met a stranger. He greeted people with a booming “Buon Giorno” or a song snippet with the person’s name in it. When Beatrix passed in November 2024, Francis’ heart broke, but he continued attending WILK events and Mass until his brain cancer made it impossible.
Francis’ life was one of adventure, faith, and love. In true Irish tradition, we opened the window and encouraged his spirit to soar freely to the arms of God, where he was reunited with his beloved Beatrix.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Monday, March 17, 2025, at St. Catherine of Siena R.C. Church, 2503 Centerville Road, Wilmington, DE 19808, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am. Family and friends are invited to attend and celebrate Francis’ remarkable life. Interment will be held privately in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Water is Life Kenya, 314 East Main Street, Kelway Plaza, Suite #2, Newark, DE 19711 or online by clicking here.
Cox Family
Deepest sympathies to all the Tannians from the Cox Family. We have many fond memories of our time together as ‘Wandervögel’. Mit viel Liebe, Bill, Hilde, Steffi, Dan & Anne.
Paul Rhoades
Will miss discussions with Mr. T which were always educational. It was an honor to drive him to mass on occasion and share breakfast afterwards.
Rest in Peace
Paul and Joanne Rhoades
Sean Noone & Mary.
Sincere condolences to the Tannian families on the sad passing of your beloved Dad & grandad. May his gentle soul rest in eternal peace.
Paul and Linn Solano
A treasured colleague and friend will be missed. So many wonderful memories. Our thoughts are with Monica, Joyce, Mark, Michele and Francis’ grandchildren.
Siné Stabosz
My deep condolences to the Tannian family. Francis was a wonderful role model to me of living out the Catholic faith during my time in student ministry at the University of Delaware. And arriving to the Oratory to a greeting of “Hi Massachusetts!” never failed to brighten my day. May God grant Francis eternal rest and greet him with a “well done my good and faithful servant”.
Liz and Pete Ross
Sad as we are, we smile at the thought of Francis and Beatrix together again. I will
sing “My Name is MacNamara” on St. Pat’s Day in their memory! Love to all of you.
Mary and Bernard Doherty
Uncle Francis lived such a full life and is now reunited with his wife whom he loves so dearly. My heart goes out to his immediate family and the rest of my extended family who cared and looked up to him for his wisdom and faith.
Michal Allen
You are missed at our Monday evening dinners for Five Gentleman at Cokesbury. I will continue to pray for you, Rest In Peace.
Mike
Ann Keen
So many wonderful memories of Dr. Tannian at the Oratory! His yearly visit as St. Nicholas during the Advent CCD Mass was a highlight for our children when they were young. Ann Keen
Jocelyn Gilmour
Dear Joyce and family, I will always think of Dr. Tannian as a professor who led my UD study abroad trip to Vienna, husband of one of my mum’s best friends, and devoted to supporting his kids endeavors including WILK. I will miss Dr. Tannian’s unique combination of candor, humor, knowledge, service and faith. A standout memory for me was Dr. Tannian’s jovial greeting to the friends I brought to the Thirst Reverse event to support WILK at Iron Hill Ardmore. He will truly be missed.
Sending love,
Jocelyn Gilmour
Mary Joan McDuffie
Dr. Tannian was one of my favorite people. One always felt happier after seeing him. My sympathies to all of the Tannian family. Best, Mary Joan
Mike Deshaies
My prayers are with Joyce and her siblings at this difficult time. It was a joy to be part of the Water is Like Kenya team for a short while and get to work with Dr. T. He was, truly, a scholar and a gentleman. His strong Catholic faith was an inspiration.
KATHY b livingstone
Tannian family, I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. T was a national treasure with a keen sense of humor. I always enjoyed my conversations with him. For some reason, he nicknamed me “the socialist” and he never failed to greet me that way. He will be missed. Sincerely, Kathy
Jeff turner
Lisa and I are deeply grieved at Francis departure but Nate happy he is reunited with Beatrix! He was such a good influence on us and will be missed. When I think of Francis I am brought back to singing with him in church and his quiet warm smile.
Philip J. Colon
Rest In Peace in God’s Eternal Embrace. You and your Family are in our prayers. Thank you for the laughs.
Phil & Peggy Colon
Jeffrey Raffel
My condolences to the Tannian family. Francis was my UD colleague for three decades. Frances led faculty (certainly including me!), staff, and students to think in different theoretical and conceptual ways about public policy, urban affairs, organizations, and leadership. He will be remembered as a fine teacher and mentor, service-oriented member of the community, and a man of ideas always accompanied by friendly smiles.
Katharine Kerrane
Our deepest sympathies to all the Tannians from Kevin and myself. I remember Francis so fondly from the Oratory days. His St. Nicholas was just what I like to think St. Nicholas was–stern, but loving. St. Nicholas’ appearance was a highlight for our boys and for us. I also admired his support of Joyce’s life work–Water is Life Kenya. My heart goes out to you, having lost both of your parents so close together. I’m keeping your father and mother in my thoughts and prayers.
Harrie Ellen Minnehan
Francis and Beatrix Tannian were the first people we met when Bob and I moved to Newark in 1967. We had no housing yet and Francis opened his home to us until we found our own place. Thus began a wonderful friendship for us as families and for my husband as a colleague in Urban Affairs at UD. Francis was a wonderful, kind and devoted family man and a true man of goodness and honor. He will be missed but fondly remembered.
Martha Elterich
Out deepest sympathies to the Tannian family from the Elterich Family. We all have many special memories together with your family and with our international group of friends. We especially enjoyed our yearly Weihnachten evenings at your home filled with friends, German carols, good food and gemütlichkeit. Your parents have been good friends to us throughout the years and we miss them very much. Love from Martha, Stefan, Karin, Jeff, Celestine and Andreas.
Sarala A. Van Dover
Our deepest sympathies to Joyce and the Tannian family on the passing away of a beloved father and grandfather. I heard about Francis’s death through a neighbor. We met Francis and Beatrix Tannian when we joined the St Thomas More Oratory a long time ago when the pastors were Fr Szupper and Fr Keegan. Francis inspired me as a deeply religious Catholic, and I was always affected by his kindness, his compassion, his engaging intelligence, and his humor among his other wonderful qualities. Beatrix encouraged my daughter to join the choir when she was in middle and high school. Francis had a sweet bond with my daughter in that they shared a birthday. Our children were fascinated with his brilliant reenactment of St Nick, the Bishop (Santa Claus) in the little Christmas pageant at the CCD mass at Christmas. We remember him very fondly and with great admiration. Rest in peace. Sarala, Ken, Lara and Andrew Van Dover
Richard Sylves
I have known Dr. Tannian since I joined the UD faculty in 1977 at age 28. My joint appointment between Pol Sci and Urban Affairs meant I regularly worked with Francis in meetings and other settings. We built a friendship over time. I recall, much to his credit, that he wanted me to join him at the UD Catholic ministry for Sunday services. Francis had a wonderful sense of humor, was always affable and in a good mood, and this was contagious for students and faculty alike. Dr. Tannian was a very gifted professor and teacher who enriched the lives of thousands of UD graduate and undergraduate students. I will miss him. He had a positive perspective on life and his ability to de-stress and defuse difficult situations was unmatched.
Richard Sylves, PhD
Emeritus Professor
Univ. of Delaware