Obituary of Frank Slate SR

WESTFIELD - Frank T. Slate, Sr., age 93, of Jefferson St., Westfield died Friday, May 23, 2008 at Absolut Care of Westfield, following a brief illness. Frank was born on September 15, 1914 in Westfield, a son of the late Charles and Lucy (Manzella) Slate. Frank had attended Westfield High School. He had worked on his father's farm on Lake Road, then for the Railroad, and eventually worked at, and then ran, the canning factory in Brocton for several years. Frank had also worked for a local contractor in Brocton building new homes and remodeling homes. He soon became a member of Carpenters Union Local No. 66, where he retired from. Frank worked on the construction of I-90 (the Thruway) when it was first under construction and he worked on building the Niagara Falls Power Plant for 3 or more years. He also had worked for several years for his best friend and supervisor, John Emeigh, building the juice holding tanks for Welch foods at the Westfield, NY and North East, PA, plants. Frank was an excellent finish carpenter. He greatly enjoyed helping his children remodel their homes. He was also a very dedicated husband and father. He loved to be around his family and greatly enjoyed dancing with his late wife, Bea. Along with his wife, Frank belonged to and served as a President of the Westfield Senior Citizens and also served on the Senior Council. His hobbies included always planting a large vegetable garden, growing fruits and flowers. Mr. Slate was a member of Loyal Order of Moose Lodge # 118, St. James Major Roman Catholic Church, and Fr. Daniel Early Council 3100 Knights of Columbus, all of Westfield. He is survived by two daughters: Maryann V. Jeffries of Toledo, OH, Sandra R. (John) Cunningham of Westfield, NY and four sons: Frank T. Slate, Jr. of Fredonia, NY, Timothy M. (Susan) Slate of Fredonia, Donald M. (Sally) Slate of Westfield, and Edward J. Slate of Westfield, 14 Grandchildren; Many Great Grandchildren, several great great grandchildren, also survive. Predeceased by his wife Beatrice (Sclafani) Slate, whom he married on September 17, 1938 and who died on April 8, 2001, and by his daughter, Virginia L. Slate, by his eight sisters, Sarah Reist, Bertha S. Kessler, Anna Slate, Mary Slate, Carrie Tuminia, Josephine Seekings, Lucy Munson, Ida Slate, and Infant, Edith Slate, and by his two brothers, Charles Barnhart Slate, and Infant Frank Slate. Friends may call on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday morning at 9:30 at St. James Major Roman Catholic Church, 15 Union Street, Westfield, Celebrated by Father Joseph Walters. Private burial will be in Portland Evergreen Cemetery, Memorials may be made to Fire Department of Westfield Ambulance Fund, 23 Elm Street, Westfield, NY 14787. Logon to www.masonfuneral.com to send a message of sympathy or to sign the guest page.