Franklin Smith Reese, age 87,  passed away on July 6th, 2021. He was born on February 24, 1934 in Niagara Falls, NY. to the late Walter Duane Reese & Mary Stevens Reese; He was preceded in death by his brother Donald Reese; sister, Marjorie McCollum; and nephew, Lon Sherrie.

Frank is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Elaine Reese; their three children, Laurie(Doug)Payne, Scott(Karen)Reese, Mark (Mary)Reese; his 12 grandchildren: Matthew(Loryn)Payne, Emily Payne, Anna Payne, Nathaniel(Lauren)Payne, Sarah Payne, Brad(Sarah)Reese, Christian Reese, Connor Reese, Fletcher Reese, Sebastian Reese, Colby Reese & Amelia Reese; and 6 great-grandchildren.  He also leaves two sisters, Norma(Bill) Freeborne, Helen(Lynn) Sherrie, sister-in-law, Dorothy Reese, brother-in-law, Evan Boyd & many nieces and nephews.

Frank grew up in Ransomville, NY and graduated from Wilson High School in 1951. He attended Roberts Wesleyan College and Erie Tech, where he earned his Associates degree and then served 2 years in the army with the honor guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Frank married his sweetheart, Elaine Boyd, in 1957 and they moved to Rochester, NY after completing his military service time. He began working for the Haloid Company, or the future Xerox Corp and also began many years of night school courses to complete his B.S. in mechanical engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology. He proudly worked 35 years as an engineer for Xerox, retiring in 1993.

For most of his life, Frank was known best for his love for anything ‘engines’ and racing. He could be found chasing races on weekends with his family, supporting his buddies in the pits, working on local stock car teams, racing snowmobiles, early road rallies, working as a flagman at Canandaigua Speedway, and even in retirement, living his dream & working for NASCAR teams in Charlotte, NC.

 

A complete family man, he was forever proud of his kids and grandkids. He and Elaine had put down roots in Victor, NY in 1962 and stayed for over 30 years.  He was active in his church, teaching Sunday school & small group Bible study; and was a Boy Scout leader for Troop 60 for many years. He shared his love of travel, and the outdoors with his family and they spent time camping, swimming, fishing, seeing the country and National Parks.  He thoroughly enjoyed his breakfast buddies for many years after coming back home from NC.

His gifts of encouragement, enthusiasm, loyal friendship & joy of life, along with his deep faith and of course that ready grin of mischief will be always remembered.

Frank’s Funeral Service will be celebrated Saturday July 10th 12 noon at Farmington United Methodist Church (5925 County Road 41 Farmington, NY). Interment Boughton Hill Cemetery.