Cyril Franks

Cyril Maurice Franks, 91, of Bloomington, Ind., died Feb. 23, 2015. Born in Neath, Wales, he was a 52-year resident of Princeton. 

In addition to being distinguished faculty member of Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University, until 1991, Dr. Franks spent his professional career promoting behavior therapy. He was a founding member and first president of the American Association of Behavioral Therapy and founding editor of the journal “Behavior Therapy,” as well as editor of “Child and Family Behavior Therapy” until 2013. 

For many years he served as program chairperson of the NJ Psychological Association and the Pavlovian Society of North America. He served in many professional associations, including the New Jersey Psychological Association and British Psychological Association.

He was an active member of The Jewish Center, Princeton, and was devoted to numerous Jewish causes. 

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He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Violet; his son, Steven (Karen) of Bloomington; his daughter, Sharon Vernall of Auckland, New Zealand; and five grandchildren.

Services were held Feb. 26 with arrangements by The Funeral Chapel, Bloomington. A second service was held March 15 at the Jewish Center. Memorial contributions may be made to American Psychological Foundation, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 for the Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship for research in stigma associated with mental illness.