Francis Patrick (Fran) Cummings III, of Williamsport, died Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Select Speciality Hospital in the Geisinger Medical Center complex in Danville. He was 79 and had been in declining health for three years.

He was born Nov. 22, 1939 in Williamsport, the son of Francis P. Cummings II and Irene Williams Cummings.

He attended St. Joseph's School in Williamsport and graduated from the Franciscian Preparatory School at Highland Hall in Hollidaysburg. After undergoing classical music training in piano and organ at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., he taught and performed in Elmira N.Y., where he was an organist at St. Patrick's Church and rehearal pianist for the Elmira Symphony Orchestra. He also taught and performed in Elkhart, Ind. and in Philadelphia and Williamsport. Locally, he played the organ full or part-time at Annunciation Church (now St. Joseph the Worker Parish), the former Ascension Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and the former Mater Dolorosa Parish. He composed a mass that debuted at Annuciaion Church.

He was good friends with Byron Janis, an internationally known classical pianist, and Janis's wife, Maria, the daughter of the late actor Gary Cooper. Janis praised Fran's piano technique after first hearing him play.

Fran was also a trained encephalographer, working for a time at Mercy Catholic Medical Center and Lankenau Hospital, both in the Philadelphia area.

Fran was predeceased by his wife, Olga Ladika Cummings; his parents; and his brother Dennis. Surviving are his sister Eleanor, wife of James Stopper and three brothers, Robert, Michael, and Richard, husband of Celine Hamm Cummings, Also surviving is a nephew Patrick Cummings, who was raised from childhood by Fran's parentts.

The family will receive friends in the church portico from 9 until 10 am followed by a celebration of The Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 10 a.m. at St Joseph the Worker Parish, 702 West Fourth St. Williamsport. Burial will be in Mount Carmel of Wildwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests memorial contitributions may be made in Fran's name to; St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 711 W. Edwin St. Williamsport, PA 17701.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to, Crouse Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 133 E.3 ^rd St. Williamsport. To sign a register book or share a fond memory, please visit www.crousefuneral home.com