"Franny had a short life. It was a full and happy life, spent with loving family and sacrificed for the country he loved," Kane's mother recalled. He and his brothers and sisters spent many hours at the Torresdale Swim Club and the Torresdale Boys Club. Kane had a single goal — to become a Marine — which he did in 1967 after graduating from Father Judge High School. The private first class. a rifleman, was sent to Vietnam, where he was assigned to Company M of Battalion Landing Team 3, 1st Marines, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. Kane died on a search-and-destroy mission west of Ca Lu, Quang Tri Province, on April 21, 1968. He was 18 years old. In high school. Kane had been good friends with William. L. Schussler, another Philadelphia veteran who died in Vietnam. Kane was survived by his parents and seven brothers and sisters. The Torresdale Boys Club presents the Francis X. Kane Award each year in his memory.