Lahr, Francis

Francis C.[Frank] Lahr passed away on July 20, 2024 at the age of 100 due to complications with pneumonia.

His memorial service will be held at the Church of the Assumption in Fairport NY on Friday September 27th at 11:15. There will be a gathering and luncheon to follow in the church hall.

 Frank was born to Francis J. Lahr and Helen C. Nielson Lahr on August 17, 1923 in Geneva NY. He went to school in a one room school house and later graduated from St. Francis DeSales High School with Honors in 1941. He was drafted into the Navy during WW2 and served at Alameda Naval Air Station located in California serving as an Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class. In 1947 he started working for the Eastman Kodak Company. He began going to Rochester Institute of Technology as a co-operative student to learn to become an Instrument Maker. He graduated in 1950 and spent his whole career in Special Programs Research and Engineering. This department did government work, one of which was involvement with the spy satellite program during the Cold War in the 1960’s.

 Frank met his future wife Teresa Schwan while at work and they were married in 1953. Shortly after that they moved to Penfield, where they remained for the rest of their lives. They had two sons and were married 56 years. He retired from Kodak in 1986 with 39 years of service and in retirement spent many hours doing volunteer work. Two organizations special to him were Meals-On-Wheels and the Advent House Hospice in Fairport NY. He loved his Catholic faith and truly lived the Christian life. Frank enjoyed doing many things including reading, woodworking, gardening, camping, the Buffalo Bills, raising chickens, making wine and beer and in his early years hunting and fishing. He was really handy and if he needed a part for something, he could make it. Great father, loving husband and friend to many, he is so missed.

Frank is survived by his sons Michael [Katherine] Lahr and John [Karen] Lahr, a brother Vincent [Gloria] Lahr, a sister Patricia [James] Hamill, a brother-in-law Windsor VanAllen, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Terry, sisters Esther McCheyne, Sr. Matilda Lahr SSJ, Helen [Thomas] Hefferon, Dorothy [James] Ritter and Madalyn [Windsor] VanAllen.

Special thanks and much love to his church family for all the love, support, and friendship you gave to dad all these years. That is truly what being a Christian is all about. He loved you all.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: Grace Academy, 457 Main St., Hartford, CT,06103 in Franks name.

Thank you to the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home and the Keenan family for support and making all the arrangements.