Franklin Archer Develin Jr.

Franklin Archer Develin, Jr passed away at home on November 27, 2024, after 100 years of life well-lived. Known lovingly as Arch, he was a longtime resident of Moorestown. Born at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, Arch spent his summers on Long Beach Island and was a proud member of Moorestown High School class of 1943. Arch took an early leave from high school to enlist and serve in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He served in the South Pacific as part of the 13th Air Corps, 403rd Troop Carrier, 64th Squadron as a flight engineer and tech inspector. Upon returning home from the war, Arch quickly wove himself into the Moorestown community as a member of the Board of Directors of the Community House, the community board of Assessors, Treasurer of the Trinity Episcopal Church Breakfast Club, Treasurer of the Moorestown Y’s Men’s Association, and as the owner of the MAB Paint store on Main Street. Arch spent the last 39 years married to Miriam and could be found all over Moorestown, whether as a coffee regular at Friendly’s, doing his best Mummer strut at the holiday parade, riding his bike around town on his daily ride, walking one of his beloved dogs, riding his tractor in the yard or swimming in the pool. Arch also was quite the handyman and was generous with his time and abilities, helping anyone who needed it do just about any household task or project. Arch was a decorated veteran and proud small business owner but his greatest legacy is the family that he built. His love of life and his laughter will be remembered and missed by his wife, Mimi, his children Barbara (Paul), Helen (Nick), Jayne (Scott), and Mimi’s children James (Heidi), Jonathan (Justine), and Lynne (Sharon.) Arch, more frequently known as Pop-Pop, was the proud grandfather to Gari, Kate (Roddey), Ryan (Sara), Erin (Charles), Colin (Heidi), Lyndsay (Dave), JD (Adam), Parker (Angela), Madison, and JP, and served as the greatest of great grandfathers to William, Siena, Madelyn, Juliet, Celi, Phoebe, Maye, Lydia and Rory. Arch is predeceased by his parents Franklin Archer Develin and Kathryn Work Develin, his sister Helen Archer Develin Elkinton, the mother of his children Mary Stuart Develin, and oldest daughter, Kathryn Phillips. To know Arch was to know someone who loved wholly, who laughed with his whole body, and whose legacy and stories will not soon be forgotten. His family and friends will miss him dearly but are so thankful for the 100 full years that he shared.