Francis Joseph (Bugsy) Moran, 81, died unexpectedly, but peacefully, around 8:30 a.m. on Monday, April 23, 2018, in Adams, Minnesota.

Francis was born on June 5, 1936, to Florence Gibbons in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was an only child and unfortunately never knew his father, but was very proud of his Sicilian and Irish ancestry.

Francis grew up very poor, but was rewarded in living a very rich, fulfilling and memorable life by having a strong work ethic, lasting friendships and a committed family. Dropping out of school in the fifth grade to take care of his ailing mother, who passed when he was 17-years-old, he managed to accomplish and experience more than most people where a lesser person would have failed.

Francis was proud that he always had a job from the age of 12. One of his most memorable jobs as a teen was working as a bellhop at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association club, where he was asked to carry out “additional duties” of transferring booze to gangsters in the back room, being asked to sing for Liberace and Art Rooney (the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers) and given the opportunity to audition to sing with Perry Como. He worked as a “soda jerk” in an ice cream parlor, where he added extra ice cream to the banana splits for the pretty girls. He also worked as a coal miner, painted cars and as a crane operator in a steel mill. His primary occupation as a professional trucking owner and operator for almost 40 years earned him multiple professional driving awards, covering about eight million miles through 48 states in his career. He was known to his trucker buddies by his CB handle, “Minnesota Mountain Man.”

Francis married Beverly Lidwell in 1954, and they had three children, Frankie, Debra and Jennifer. They later divorced in 1970.

While hauling meat to Hormel in Austin, Minnesota, from Pittsburgh, Francis would stop at The Truck Stop in Austin, where he met his future wife (Viola) who had been his waitress. The story goes that when he first asked her out, her response was, “What the hell for?” Despite a rocky start, they were later married on Aug. 23, 1971, in Watertown, South Dakota. He was blessed by gaining six stepchildren, Marica, Laurie, Mike, Bruce, Mark and Dan, and later had a son, Todd, in 1972. They were married for 44 years before Viola’s passing in 2015.

Francis had an infectious, unique and colorful personality that you could not help being drawn to. He was not a professional storyteller, but certainly could have been when discussing his life adventures, which kept you hanging on his every word even if you had heard these stories hundreds of times before. His incredible stories, voice, laughter, sense of humor, compassion and “trucker mouth” will be missed. He could strike up conversations and friendships with anyone, anytime and anywhere. Even though he often referred to his family as his heroes, his family viewed him the real hero.

Anyone who knew Francis, or “Bugsy” as most called him, knew he was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He attended numerous games at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh as well as sitting second row, 20-yard line at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay, Florida, giving “high fives” to the champs after the game. His Steelers shrine and collectables would make any fan proud.

A very special thanks to his home care workers, Kim and Jen, and nurse, Ellie, who he talked about as if they were family. To the incredible care staff at Adams Nursing Center that provided exceptional and loving care, even when his temper would have tested anyone’s patience.

Francis is survived by his sons, Dr. Todd (Juanita) Moran, Michael (Joan) Hinks, Bruce (Barb) Hinks, Mark (Kathy) Hinks and Dan Hinks; and daughters, Debra Moran, Jennifer (Kirk) Shumaker and Marica (Steven) Stenberg.

Francis was preceded in death by his wife, Viola; daughter, Laurie (Dittberner); and son, Frankie.

There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. on May 26 at the Grand Meadow Cemetery to celebrate a remarkable life. Cards can be sent to his son, Todd Moran (1009 36th St NW, Austin, MN 55912) or he can be contacted at 507-438-2010.