Francis Gilbert Hartley

Francis Gilbert Hartley, retired Superintendent of Loch Raven Watershed and former land surveyor for the City of Baltimore, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023, at the age of 86.

Fran is survived by his partner Elizabeth (“Betty”) Parr and her family; his daughter Donna and son-in-law Greg Hislop; and his daughter Doreen and daughter-in-law Diane Cooke. Also surviving are Fran's five grandchildren -- Carolyn Hislop, Eileen Jones (and husband Ian), Julie Schrey (and husband Todd), Patrick Hislop (and fiancee Christine Nieman), and Bridget Hislop -- and great-granddaughter Madeline Jones.

Fran was born in Baltimore on March 7, 1937 to printer Brent Augusta Hartley and homemaker Lillian Mae (Linsenmeyer) Hartley. He joined an older brother, Brent Alan, who was his best friend until Brent's death in 2016. Fran graduated from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1956 and married Millie Hartley in 1960. He attended Mass over the years at St. Bernardine, St. Lawrence, St. Gabriel, and most recently at Our Lady of Victory parish.

Among Fran's most cherished memories were fishing with his brother, helping with his daughters' recreation softball teams, singing in nursing homes with the Glad Men of Song, playing golf, vacationing in Ocean City, Maryland, and later, enjoying some cruises and more adventurous travels. He loved surveying, he loved his work caring for the land and water at Loch Raven reservoir, and he enjoyed the men on his crews. He loved snow, and he loved to laugh. He loved spending time with his family. He ate crabs every chance he got, and had a penchant for cheap beer and Rock and Rye. In his later years, he most loved spending quiet time with Betty and enjoyed their social time at Brightview. He was blessed with good health until he caught COVID in December and struggled to regain his strength.

Visitation is planned for Saturday, March 18, from 10 - 11am at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 4414 Wilkens Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21229. A Catholic Mass will be celebrated at 11. Burial will follow at Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 2150 Mount View Road, Marriottsville, Maryland 21104.

In Fran's memory, friends and family are invited to support the Saint Vincent dePaul Society of Baltimore, whose mission is to "ensure those impacted by poverty have the skills, resources, and opportunity to achieve their full potential." The address is 2305 North Charles Street, Suite 300, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, or giving@vincentbaltimore.org, (410) 662-0500. Please mention Fran's name when you give.