Obituary of Francis C. Sullivan

Francis C. Sullivan Afton, NY Francis C. Sullivan, formerly of Afton, passed away peacefully December 2, 2012 at the NYS Veterans Home in Oxford. He has been reunited with his beloved wife of 54 years, Virginia and many loved ones. Son of the late Dennis J. and Edna L. Sullivan, he was born in Oneonta on October 11, 1921. He attended St. Mary's School and graduated from Oneonta High School where he played football and track and was active in school chorus, band and orchestra. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. From 1940-1942, he attended Oneonta Normal School where he was active in chorus, orchestra and varsity basketball. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and served in Germany, Austria and Wales. After the war, he graduated from Hartwick College in 1949 with a B. S. degree in Business Education. While at Hartwick, he was active in orchestra, band and chorus and was president of A?O fraternity. He taught Business Education at Afton Central School in 1949, after which he re-enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and served in Austria. He returned to Afton Central School until his retirement in 1979. He obtained his Master Degree In Business Education from Albany State Teachers College in 1953. He obtained his Certificate of Administrative Education from SUNY New Paltz in 1969. He also obtained graduate credits from Syracuse University and SUNY Plattsburg. While at Afton, he also taught Driver's Education. He became the first High School principal from 1969-1979 at ACS. After retirement from full-time work, he continued his service in education as an interim administrator in Oneonta, Charlotte Valley, Schenevus, and Bainbridge-Guilford Schools, as well as interim superintendent for Afton. He served on the Afton Central School Board of Education for three terms, one of which as president. He also served on the DCMO BOCES Board of Education for two terms, one as vice-president. He was a member of the VFW, NYSSBA and former member of NYSUT. During WW II, he was a musician with the "Yankee Tankers" of the 748th TK BN band. After the War as a member of the Musicians Union he played with the Little Falls Symphony; he taught String Bass for two summers at NYS Music Camp at Otter Lake. He played clarinet, saxophone and string bass in numerous area bands from the 40's and 50's. It was when he was playing a gig with a band at the Rock Inn he was introduced to his future wife. He served as Afton village clerk and was a member of the Afton Fire Department within which he later served as AFD secretary. He also served on the Afton village planning board and Glenwood Cemetery Association. He was a Notary Public since 1960. He also served as a member and trustee of St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of Maple Neighborhood at the NYS Veterans Home at Oxford. We are grateful for all you have done for Dad. He has passed from your care into the arms of his Lord. He will be missed dearly by his two daughters, Colleen (Kent) Dristle of Minetto, New York and Patricia (Dean) Fiorina of Unadilla, New York, and son, Michael (Phylis) Sullivan of Grand Island, Nebraska; three grandchildren, Adam Dristle and Kathrine and Patrick Sullivan. He also is survived by a sister-in-law, Shirley Sullivan and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Virginia Peters Sullivan in 2006, daughter Mary Theresa in 1959, his parents, one sister, Irene Disbrow, two brothers, Dennis J. and Harry Sullivan and nephew, Barry Sullivan. Friends may call from 10:00am-12noon on Friday December 7, 2012 at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main Street Sidney, NY 13838. Funeral services will follow at 12noon at the funeral chapel. Burial will be private. A Memorial Mass at St. Agnes Church will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to the Afton Fire Department, 15 Spring Street, Afton, NY 13730. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.