News of the Club

December 7

Excerpted from the McPherson College magazine, the 'Flywheel,' read about how the members of the H. H. Franklin Club and the students at McPherson find each other and share the enjoyment of Franklin automobiles and the Franklin 'Trek.'

Click on the image to read the article.

November 22

William Stever born October 16, 1932; passed October 23, 2024, just 7 days after turning 92. Leaves wife, Ellen, son Mark Stever, step daughter Lori, and her husband, Phil Graham. Bill adored dogs, and became the first animal control officer for Inyo County. He believed in exercising daily throughout his life, which included: bicycle riding, running 10k's, hiking in the mountains, fishing the high lakes, tennis and golf. His joy was to teach all that had an interest in tennis and golf. He loved the Owen's Valley, especially Bishop, and never wanted to leave the valley. His thinking was, "We live in the most beautiful place in the world, why would anyone want to leave?". His true passion was being a Classic Car restorer. He was happiest when restoring what others called, "A pile of junk." Bill always had a joke to share because he always wanted to make people laugh. He will be missed. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

September 9

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of W. Bruce Levey, surrounded by family at Grace Manor, on September 5th, 2024 after a fast-progressing form of Dementia. Bruce is survived by his wife, Amelia (Delle Palme),and son Jeff (Leah Dacey), brother, Barry Prouse (Aline), father-in-law Dominic Delle Palme, brother-in-law, Dave Delle Palme (Jane Boucher). Bruce was pre-deceased by his parents, Bill and Evelyn Levey, mother-in-law (Shirley Delle Palme), sister-in-law, Anna Marie Delle Palme, and his life-long friend/Mentor, Bill Bradley. Bruce was born in Goderich, Ontario and followed his brother Barry to Ottawa to work in the Court Reporting industry. He traveled the great country and abroad in his profession working for the Ontario Human Rights Commission as well as the Mining & Lands Commission. In 1986 Bruce opened up an office in Pembroke, Ontario and traveled the Valley conducting various discoveries and legal proceedings. Bruce had many likes and hobbies over the years but his Harley Davidson motorcycle and 1929 Franklin were dearest to his heart. We hope his last motorcycle ride on September 5th was by far the most memorable one for him.

The family would like to thank the staff at Grace Manor (in particular nurses Peter and Adam) who treated Bruce with respect and dignity. Amelia and Jeff would also like to thank the support given by everyone over the last little while, but special thanks go to the Stewart family, the Dicorato family, Robert Taylor, Steve May and Survivor Ottawa LRG.

There will be a Celebration of Life hosted by the family at 657 Netley Circle, Ottawa, Ontario, on Saturday September 21st, 2024 between 1 and 5. A second celebration of life will be held in Bruce’s home town of Goderich at some point in October where he will be buried at the Maitland Cemetery with his parents. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Salvation Army (Grace Manor) or the Dementia Society would be greatly appreciated.

"Next to darkness is the light, and when you empty out your grief, you create more room for joy to move in and take its place".

September 5

Kathryn W. Harry, age 86, of Alma, WI died on Monday, September 2, 2024 at Advent Health in Durand. She was the only child born to Melvin and Wilma Mueller. Kathryn attended and graduated from Alma Area High School. On October 17, 1959, Kathryn was united in marriage to Richard Harry at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Alma. Richard and Kathryn purchased Harold Gustavson’s Studebaker dealership and garage, which later became Alma Motors. They later purchased Willard Breckow’s Homelite chainsaw business, which grew to include Jonsered, Olympic and Stihl chainsaws. At its peak, they were the largest Stihl chainsaw dealer in the Tri-State area of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Kathryn retired in 1997. Kathryn enjoyed the many tours she and Richard took in their antique cars and the comradery gained with other car club members. Kathryn loved to bake cookies, especially chocolate chip. She thought the world of her granddaughter, enjoyed dancing, doing word search puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. Kathryn is survived by her children, Gerald Harry and Karen (Mark) Weiss and granddaughter, Mariah Weiss. Besides her parents, Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband, Richard. A visitation will be at Talbot Family Funeral Home in Alma on Saturday September 7, 2024 at 9:00 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM. A burial will follow at Alma Public Cemetery.

May 27

Mary Therese Reeve, 85, of Cazenovia, NY, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and herbalist, passed away surrounded by her family on May 1, 2024. Though born a city girl in Milwaukee on January 7, 1939, to Margaret and Charles Bunnell, Mary embraced country life in upstate New York after moving there with her husband Michael in 1966.

A natural green thumb, Mary operated Hilltop Herbery in Cazenovia for over 30 years and held a popular Mother’s Day sale each year. She was an active member of the Manlius Herb Society and the Herbal Society of America and also provided herbs to local restaurants and Wegmans. She delighted in sharing her vast knowledge of herbs and their lore with others.

A gourmet cook and baker known for using herbs to create delicious flavors, Mary also loved traveling, singing, and music. Nicknamed Puttycat, and like a cat, she seemed to have nine lives, resiliently bouncing back from numerous difficult medical occurrences in her life while always remaining cheerful and optimistic. Mary had a zest for life, cherishing holidays—especially St. Patrick's Day and the 4th of July, which she celebrated exuberantly decked out in festive attire and decorations.

Mary found profound meaning in her Catholic faith as a devoted parishioner of St. James in Cazenovia and Immaculate Conception in Fayetteville.

She is lovingly survived by her husband of 58 years, Michael, daughters Mary Pat Reeve of Arlington, MA, Maggie Tompkins of Wolcott, NY and son Patrick of Cazenovia; and nine grandchildren: Matthew, Michael, Emma, Madeline, Theresa, Simon, Callum, Gwendolyn and Joy.

A sweet, kind soul devoted to her loved ones, Mary will be deeply missed but gratefully remembered for the love and joy she brought to this world. May she now rest peacefully in eternal life.

A memorial mass will be 11:00 am on June 4th ar Immaculate Conception Church, 400 Salt Springs St., Fayetteville.

May 4

Allan M. Zwaaf, a resident of Hopewell, NJ, passed away on May 3, 2024 at the age of 84.

Allan was born in Trenton, NJ and lived most of his life in Hopewell. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Allan worked for many years at Princeton Gamma Tech and later Edmund Scientific. He also worked as a school bus driver in both Hopewell and Montgomery Townships, where he was well-liked by the students he transported. Allan had a lifetime love of horses and antique cars. He competed at many horse shows in both NJ and PA in hunter/jumper classes. Throughout his life, he collected and worked on antique cars and especially enjoyed working on his Franklins. Allan will be remembered for his dry humor and infectious laugh.

Allan is survived by his wife of 53 years Judy Zwaaf, daughter Katrina Zwaaf, and son-in-law Geoffrey Wood. Funeral services are at 2 PM on May 6 at Highland Cemetery located at 95 Hopewell-Wertsville Rd, Hopewell, NJ 08525.

Memorial contributions are respectfully requested to be sent to the H.H. Franklin Club: www.franklincar.org/donate.htm

March 26

My father passed peacefully at a rehab center in Syracuse 2 weeks ago. (Click for obituary.) As you all know, he was very fond of the club members and had many great memories of the 20+ years of meets in Cazenovia. He always made a big deal of the banquet which he had me attend as well as other friends and family members that he would invite.
I would like to personally thank you all for being a big part of his life. He was sad that he was not able to attend the last meets.

Michael D. Episcopo

February 14

Vincent Terry Fitch, 77, passed away gently and gracefully on February 12, 2024 at Rome Health. He was born in Boonville on July 22, 1946 a son of Harold and Doris Draper Fitch. Terry grew up in Boonville and graduated from Boonville High School, Mohawk Valley Community College and Simmons School of Mortuary Science, Syracuse. He was united in marriage with Mary Ladock in May of 1970. She died in May of 1977. In October of 1978 he was united in marriage with Patricia Buffardi, a blessed marriage of 47 years. Terry operated Fitch Funeral Home until 1997 when the business was sold. He was a school bus driver and transportation director at Adirondack Central School for many years. Terry was a member of the Boonville Elk’s Lodge, Boonville Lion’s Club of many years ago, the Knights of Columbus, the Boonville Chamber of Commerce and Dodge-Pratt-Northam Art and Community Center. Terry served on the Boonville Village Board for 17 years, he was instrumental in rebuilding Erwin Park and the little Village Park after the tornado in 1983. He served as president of Erwin library board for 10 years. While on the board he oversaw the construction of the parking lot and the new entrance at the library. He was also a member of the Franklin Automobile Club, the Pierce Arrow Society, Carousel Organ Association and the Carousel Museum.

He believed a life is determined by the things you love: family, friends and Boonville. Terry enjoyed collecting history of Boonville. He collected antique musical instruments and owned 60 antique automobiles throughout the years and enjoyed going to the Hershey Car Show and numerous other car shows, as well as estate sales. He loved animals and rescued many. He owned 20 racehorses, as well as llamas, alpacas and a ram.

Surviving are his wife, Patricia; children, Melissa Fitch, Jim (Megan Bogacz) Fitch, Stacie (Fred) Bancroft; brother, Harold (Nancy) Fitch; eight grandchildren, Megan and Katie Sheehy, Caleb, Brock and Bryn Fitch, Paxton, Asher and Flora Bancroft; nephews, Darren and Damon Fitch; sister-in-law, Maureen Winney and two loyal friends Cooper and Merwin. He was predeceased by his parents and a grandson, Aidan Bogacz.

Calling hours will be Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 2-7 p.m. at Mills Funeral Home, 301 Post Street, Boonville with a service to follow at 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Erwin Library, 104 Schuyler Street, Boonville, NY 13309. For an online message of sympathy please go to www.millsfuneralhomes.com.