News

News of the Club

March 1

Donald R. Chapman, at 97 years, passed away early February 22, while a resident of the Cottages at Garden Grove-Cicero, New York. Don was the son of Vera and Russell Chapman.

With a technical background, Don worked at General Electric/ Lockheed Martin for over fifty years. Don focused and admired all antique and classic cars and fire trucks. Don was a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, Classic Car Club of America, H.H.Franklin Car Club, the Pierce Arrow Society and the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus of America and owned numerous vehicles during his driving life. Don enjoyed learning the history of vehicles built in Syracuse (Franklin, Brennen), Rochester (Cunningham), Buffalo (Pierce Arrow, Thomas) and Elmira (American LaFrance).

Don was an active meet and trek participant for over seventy years. Don, and good friend Hank, drove Don’s 1936 Pierce Arrow 1601 sedan to the first AACA fall meet (1954), but the 18 year old car was not admitted on the show field.

Don owned an early 1925 11A Franklin Touring and smiled whenever he drove it. Two of Don’s cars are on display at the Northeast Auto Museum in Norwich, New York: a 1938 Bantam roadster and a 1938 Pierce Arrow 1803 Town Car.

We will miss his enthusiasm, joy in sharing, extraordinary memory of auto details and his friendship.

Don’s life will be celebrated in May 2025.

February 24

Michael P. Reeve, 83, of Cazenovia, NY, passed away on February 1, 2025, surrounded by his family, joining his beloved wife Mary Therese (Bunnell) Reeve, who preceded him in death nine months earlier. Born April 4, 1941, in Chillicothe, Ohio to John Harvey and Loretta Anne (Ropella) Reeve, Mike spent his formative years in Milwaukee and Waukesha, Wisconsin.

A lifelong learner and dedicated engineer, Mike pursued his education while working in his uncle J. Donald Reeve's machine shop. He earned his engineering degree from Marquette University through night school, demonstrating the perseverance that would characterize his entire career. His technical expertise led him to General Motors' Ternstedt Division in Syracuse, NY, where he completed a Tool and Die apprenticeship and worked on gyroscope parts for the Apollo space missions.

In partnership with his brother Joe and his father, J. Harvey, Mike established Reeve Garage Builders in Phoenix, NY, where the company became known for efficient garage construction. In the 1980s, he transitioned to education, earning his B.S. from Empire State College and M.S. in Vocational Technical Education from SUNY Oswego. As a professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology at SUNY Morrisville, Mike shared his extensive practical knowledge with the next generation of engineers until his retirement.

Mike's passion for engineering and problem-solving continued in his collaboration with his son Patrick and grandson Michael at Reeve Enterprises, where they specialize in race engine machining and providing repairs for local agriculture. He was an enthusiast of vintage automobiles, restoring classic cars, including a Stanley Steamer, and was a regular participant in the Franklin Trek in Cazenovia. He also loved helping the grandkids optimize engines for microd racing at the State Fair.

Above all, Mike was devoted to his wife of over 55 years, Mary Therese, providing devoted care during her final years. He is survived by his children: Mary Pat (Mark) Daly and their children Emma, Simon, Callum, and Joy; Patrick Joseph Reeve and his children Matthew, Theresa, and Michael; and Maggie Ann Tompkins and her children Gwendolyn and Madeline.

A Mass celebrating Michael's life will be held on Friday, March 7th at 10:30am at Immaculate Conception Church, 400 Salt Springs St, Fayetteville, NY. A reception will follow in the church hall.

February 20

Gordon H. Howard, 88, of Vernon, passed away on February 14, 2025, after a long and fulfilling life. He drew great enjoyment from his family, antique Franklin automobiles, model trains, UConn women’s basketball, and the birds that flocked to his backyard feeders.

Gordon was born on April 5, 1936, in Providence, R.I., to Robert McLaren Howard and Helen Huey Hyde Howard. He graduated from James T. Lockwood High School in Warwick, R.I., in 1954 and received a bachelor’s degree in textile engineering from Rhode Island School of Design in 1958. He was drafted in the U.S. Army shortly after graduation, and being discharged he went to work at Cheney Brothers in Manchester, Conn. There he met Carol Cordner, who he married in 1964 at South United Methodist Church in Manchester. Soon after the wedding they bought a home in Andover, where they raised three boys. All three played basketball at RHAM and he never missed a game. He owned two Franklins—“Bertha,” from 1927, and another from 1930—and attended every annual “Trek” of the HH Franklin Club for more than 50 years consecutively. He was also passionate about his Scottish ancestry and traveled with some of his family to his clan’s homeland in 1997.

Gordon worked numerous jobs in textile engineering, most prominently JH Fenner & Co. Ltd. in Middletown, where he was employed from 1970 to 1986. He retired when much of the industry relocated overseas, allowing him to enjoy the arrival of eight grandchildren, pick blackberries in his backyard garden, read two newspapers a day, and meet longtime friends for breakfast at Rein’s every Thursday morning.

He was a diehard fan of UConn women’s basketball and followed many of the players as they joined the WNBA or played overseas. He unofficially adopted Dorka Juhásh as a sixth granddaughter.

He is survived by his sister, Evelyn Murray; his children, Robert and his wife, Sylvia; David and his fiancee, Kerin Smollen; and Steven and his wife, Lana; grandchildren Lina, Jenna, Alyssa, Vaughn, Hannah, Jack, Hollyn, and Landon. He was preceded in death by his wife, the Rev. Carol Cordner Howard, in 2000.

All are welcome to join the family at the Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Road (Rt-83) in Vernon on Sunday, February 23, 2025, for a time of visitation from 2-4 pm with a memorial service to begin at 3:30 pm. At the request of the family, the burial will be private in East Cemetery, Manchester. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the HH Franklin Club or the Audubon Society. To leave a condolence, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com

January 20

Roy Franklin Powers, 92, passed away on January 14, 2025. Roy was born to Irene and Llew Powers of DeRuyter, NY on July 23,1932. He graduated from South Otselic High in 1951, then attended Morrisville State in the Auto Technology program.1953 was a banner year: he graduated from college, married E. Mae Martin from Norwich, NY, and then was drafted into the US Army, serving until 1957, including in the Missile/Radar battalion. Returning to CNY, working at Jones and Allen Chevrolet in Whitney Point, and then at his uncle's farm in DeRuyter. By 1962, Roy and Mae and 3 young sons moved to Fabius. Roy ran an Ashland service station in town for some time and went to night school to obtain a teaching certificate as the family had grown by 2 daughters. In the1966 school year he worked as a teaching assistant to Robert Ossont at Fabius Central School. He taught Auto Mechanics and later Auto Body courses for Cortland-Madison BOCES until taking a position with Fabius Pompey Central School teaching Auto Mechanics and Welding until his retirement. Roy and Mae were involved in many antique car clubs which formed lifelong friendships and fun trips during their life together. They led an active church life in the United Methodist and later Fabius Christian Churches. He also served in many capacities on the Fabius Volunteer Fire Dept over many years. Roy taught many young people to build skills in important trades that we all need in life. No matter where he traveled, he always knew someone, and had the most extraordinary memory and gift of gab ! Roy was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Mae, his brother, Duane Powers, and grandsons Wesley Harridge and Andrew Gosden. He is survived by his brother, Dale (Lorna) Powers of Bradenton, Fla. Children: Steven (Rosie) Powers, Fabius, NY. Donald (Susan) Powers, Loveland, CO. David (Laurie Harridge) Powers, Lafayette, NY. Mary (Joe) Chovan, Cazenovia, NY. Gwen Powers, Syracuse, NY. Grands: Craig (Megan) Powers, Fabius, NY. Melissa (Mark) Wheatley, Lafayette, NY. Jordan (Tara) Conklin, Syracuse, NY. Jonathan (Paige) Powers, DE. Trevor Gosden, Floral Park, NY. Mercury McGraw, Syracuse, NY. Collin McGraw, Syracuse, NY. Shannon McGraw, Weedsport, NY Great Grands: Clint Wheatley, Levi (His birthday buddy!) Wheatley, Christopher Powers, Madison Powers, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled in springtime in Fabius.