Francis M. “Fran” Amidon, of Arkport
ARKPORT-Francis M. “Fran” Amidon, a well known and lifelong resident of Arkport, passed away Friday (July 18, 2014) at Rochester General Hospital, following a short illness.
Fran was born on February 17, 1938 to E. Raymond Amidon and Ida May (Munson) Amidon. Fran married Anne Freiner of Canaseraga in September 1957. In August 1983 he married Christine Astolfi of Corning, who predeceased him in March 2012.
Fran graduated from Arkport Central School, Class of 1957, where he was a sports legend. He set many sports records during his high school years, some of which remain today. Notably he is the only A.C.S. graduate to earn 16 Varsity Letters as he played varsity all four years of high school in four sports. He also played on several local basketball teams following high school. Sports were a cornerstone of his life; he was a founder of the Arkport Junior Baseball League; he coached Arkport Junior High basketball for several years, and he never missed a sporting event where his daughter or grandchildren were playing.
Following high school Fran worked at A.L. Blades in Hornell and Arkport Motors, until 1962 when he started at Shay’s Trucking in Dansville. During his 27 years at Shay’s he was their Buffalo Terminal Manager and for several years he handled their Bath-Corning-Binghamton route each day. In 1989 he joined A.L. Blades and worked there until his retirement in 2006. For the last few years he worked part-time at the Hornell Elks Lodge. He had a work ethic that few surpass and he always loved his job and meeting people.
Fran, known as “Ace” by many friends, never knew a stranger and will be missed by many. Besides his love of local sports and college basketball, he will be remembered for his large vegetable garden each year, and the pride he showed towards his children and grandchildren.
Fran was a member of the Arkport Memorial American Legion Post No. 1248, the Hornell Moose Lodge No. 210, the Hornell Elks Lodge No. 364, the Hornell Association, the Hornell AmVets Post No. 245 and the “Southside Morning Club.” He was also a past president and member of the Arkport Fire Department. For over the last 20 years he has been a primary supporter of the Hornell YMCA building and capital fund campaigns.
Fran is survived by his son, Robert of Cypress, TX, daughters, Patricia Amidon (Kim Glover) of Arkport and Kimberly Amidon of Corning; sisters, Nancy Glover, Linda Gamo (John Walsh), Martha (Thomas) Rink and Kathy (Spencer) Bardeen all of Arkport; seven grandchildren, Jenna (Alex) Blank of West Henrietta, Ashley Amidon of Orlando, FL., Lyndsay Jackson of Billings, MT, Elliot Jackson of Arkport, Christopher McKibben of Corning, John and Scott McKibben of Hornell; his aunt, Anna Harvey of Phoenix, AZ. He is also survived by one great-granddaughter and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents and his wife, Christine, he was predeceased by his sister, Sharon Rudd, granddaughter, Catherine Amidon and brothers-in-law, Larry Glover and Douglas Gamo.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Francis M. “Fran” Amidon.
Calling hours are 6-8 p.m. Monday (today) and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. 285 Main St., Hornell. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Bishopville United Methodist Church, with Pastor Pamela Carey officiating. Committal services and interment will follow at the Arkport Heritage Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Arkport Junior Baseball, in care of Rick Andolina, P.O. Box 16, Arkport, N.Y. 14807 (envelopes will be available at the funeral home) or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences or remembrances of Fran are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
