Francis John Desmond was born in Wilmington, Delaware, on January 21, 1910, a son of John and Julia (Quill) Desmond. He received his early education at St. Thomas Parochial School and began his studies for the priesthood at St. Charles Preparatory, Catonsville, Maryland. He took his philosophical and theological studies at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland and was ordained on May 22, 1937, at St. Peter's Cathedral, Wilmington, by Bishop Edmond J. FitzMaurice.
He was first assigned as chaplain to the Male Protectory at Reybold. In 1940 he was appointed assistant pastor at St. Elizabeth Parish, Wilmington. In December, 1944, he was appointed diocesan director of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), and opened a youth center on Baynard Boulevard, Wilmington. In 1946 he became chaplain of diocesan institutions, and associate pastor at St. Peter's Church, New Castle, Delaware.
In May 1952, he was appointed first full-time pastor of St. Edmond's Parish, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. During his pastorate there, he established St. Edmond's Parochial School and Convent, built the original church of St. Ann's, Bethany Beach; St. Jude's Church at Five Points, Lewes; and St. Michael the Archangel Church, Georgetown.
He was made a prelate of honor on April 3, 1959. From 1961 to 1967 he was pastor of St. Helena's Church. In June 1971, he resigned his pastorate, and continued to live at St. Helena's rectory. He died on November 4, 1980, at 70 years of age, and 43 years as a priest. A concelebrated Mass was offered by Bishop Thomas J. Mardaga at St. Thomas Church on November 8, 1980. Interment was made at Cathedral Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware.
