Franklin R. Thoday, a life long resident of the Hamlet of Wallkill, NY, entered into eternal rest on August 13, 2014 at the Mountain View Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre in New Paltz, NY with his loving family caretakers by his side after a short illness. He was 83.
The son of the late Franklin Hitchner Thoday and Nellie May (Kosteczko) Thoday Harris, Franklin was born January 31, 1931 in the Hamlet of Wallkill.
Franklin was a retired Science Teacher for the Poughkeepsie City School District in Poughkeepsie, NY. A family statement: “Franklin was an avid Cessna Piper Plane Pilot and instructor, an adventurer who loved to travel all over the U.S. and abroad especially to Epinal, France to the military cemetery to visit his Dad’s grave site. He was an experienced beekeeper, a self-taught master gardener; he loved cooking, reading and hiking on the Mohonk Preserve. A Dr. Doolittle to all animals and creatures in need, and his passion for science and teaching left his mark in the students he taught over the years. Franklin will truly be missed. Franklin proudly served his country in the Korean War in the U. S. Air Force.
He is survived by his sister, Alice (George) Conrad of Las Vegas, Nevada, nephews, Dr. Gregory (Kathy) Conrad, DC of Wildomar, CA, George (Viella) Conrad, Esq., of Post Falls, Idaho, Howard “Scooter” (Prihartanti) Conrad of Las Vegas, Nevada, Franklin “Frank” Ziegert of Melbourne, Florida, and many cousins. He also leaves behind his beloved and cherished animals. His family caregivers were Kim & Frank Kosteczko and Kathryn Rubinstein.
The family would especially like to express their sincere gratitude to Franklin’s guardian angel, Kim Kosteczko for her love, care and dedication to Franklin and his animals over the last seven years. Franklin is predeceased by his parents, stepfather, Robert “Bucky” Harris, stepmother, Mary Thoday and his sister, Evelyn Ziegert. The family also wishes to thank Drs. Franklin Guneratne, Syed Nasir, Muhammad Chowdhury, Krishna Dixit, and the nursing staff at St. Lukes Cornwall Hospital, Montgomery Nursing Home and the Mountain View Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre in New Paltz for the care they gave to Franklin over the last two months.
There will be no visitation per his wishes. Cremation will take place at Cedar Hill Crematory. Graveside services with military honors will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., at St Charles Borromeo Cemetery, 2212 Rt. 44-55, Gardiner, NY, with Father Matthew Yatkauskas officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Walden, P.O. Box 135, Walden NY 12586, Helping Hands Food Pantry at St. Charles Borromeo Parish 2212 Rt. 44-55, Gardiner, NY 12525 or the charity on one's choice

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