News

News of the Club

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.