Obituary of Francis W. Rohde

CRANBERRY LAKE - Francis W. Rohde, age 89, passed away on April 15, 2013 at the Clifton-Fine Hospital, Star Lake. Calling hours will be held at French Family Funeral Home, Star Lake, on Thursday, April 18, 2013 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. immediately followed by his funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Pieter Visscher officiating. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Francis was born on July 5, 1923 in Watertown to the late Orlin Rohde, Sr. and Ida (Lamphear) Rohde. He attended school in Carthage, Adams Center and Bellville. He married Lora D. Brown on June 28, 1944. Mr. Rohde worked on his father's farm until 1954 when he and Lora moved to Cranberry Lake. Francis worked for Jones and Laughlin Iron Ore Mine at Benson-Mines for 24 years. After the Mine shut-down, Mr. Rohde worked for two years on road construction, one year driving truck for Houghton Seed Co., and for six years for Newton Falls Paper Mill before retiring. Francis was a lifetime member of the Cranberry Lake Fire Dept. where he received an award for 47 years of dedicated service in 2002 and was active in the Fire Police. He was a member and past President of the Clifton-Fine Senior Club and St. Lawrence County Council of Senior Citizens, a member and past King Lion (1991-1993) of the Clifton-Fine Lion's Club where he received several awards including the Melvin Jones Fellow and Robert J. Uplinger Awards. Mr. Rohde was a member of the Edwards Masonic Lodge, served on the Clifton-Fine Hospital Board during the establishment of the nursing home, and was a member and elder of the Western Adirondack Presbyterian Church. Francis loved to dance; he and Lora used to go square-dancing, and he enjoyed fishing. His survivors include his wife, Lora; daughter, Linda D. Rohde of Liverpool, NY; son, James A. and Nancy Rohde of Mansfield, OH; son, William F. and Evelyn Rohde of Groton, NY; his step-mother, Alice Rohde of Pulaski; and five grandchildren; Karen and Jim Lucas, Larry and Michelle Rohde, Annette Evans, Michael Rohde, and Catherine Rohde. He is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Francis is predeceased by his parents; his brother and sister-in-law, Orlin Rohde, Jr. and Muriel; and a grandson, Jeffrey Rohde (2000). Donations in his memory may be made to the C-F Lions Club, C/o Chuck Yartz, P.O. Box 520, Cranberry Lake NY 12927; the Clifton-Fine Senior Club, Star Lake NY 13690; or the Western Adirondack Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 186, Star Lake NY 13690.