Pictured is William “Bill” Franz, Owego’s former Mayor, Fire Chief and Trustee, who passed away on Saturday, Aug. 22 at the age of 76, after a brief illness. A funeral was held on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at St. Patrick’s Church. (Provided photos)
Several hundred friends, family and community residents gathered at the Estey, Munroe and Fahey Funeral Home in Owego on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 25 to remember William “Bill” Franz.
Franz, Owego’s former Mayor, Fire Chief and Trustee, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 22 at the age of 76, after a brief illness. A funeral was held on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at St. Patrick’s Church.
Born and raised in Owego, N.Y., Franz graduated from St. Patrick’s School and Owego Free Academy. As a teenager, Franz worked in his grandparents business, Kies Bottling Works. A 1959 graduate of Broome Technical College with a degree in Electrical Engineering, Franz worked at IBM for 35 years, and retired after 40 years in January 2000, which included working for Loral and Lockheed-Martin. Three of his last years with Lockheed-Martin were spent working abroad in Southampton, England.
Franz is remembered as a role model and for his exemplary community service, with multiple accomplishments during the eight years he was Owego Fire Chief, three years on the Owego Board of Trustees, and four years as Village of Owego Mayor.
A life-long 60-year member of the Owego Fire Department (OFD) since the age of 16, Franz was one of the “Flat Rats” of Croton Hose Company No. 3. In addition to his role as Fire Chief for eight years, Franz was an OFD foreman for six years, and Captain of the OFD emergency squad for four years, and also participated in hose team competitions, among other activities.
From left, Owego Fire Chief Bill Franz shows the pump panel of the Owego Fire Department Company No. 1’s new Mack R Series Pumper to young Firefighter Steve Gavin, around 1970.
“I wish I could sum up my dad in a couple of sentences,” said Craig Franz, Bill Franz’s son. He added, “Perhaps my brother, Dan, stated it the best.”
“There were three things Dad cared most about in this world; family, friends and Owego,” stated Dan. He added, “The support we’ve received this week is a testament to the community’s appreciation of our dad’s life’s work.”
John Loftus, a previous Owego Mayor, shared, “Bill was part of a generation that can’t be replaced. He was passionate about the community. The Village has lost a good soul.”
Patrick Gavin, a long time Owego resident and 20-year member of the Owego Fire Department, said, “Bill was charismatic and a ball of energy.”
Gavin shared that when he was 10 years old, he helped pass out flyers when Bill Franz was running for Owego Mayor, and took inspiration from him throughout the years.
Pictured is a protest sign that reads, “1 is TOO MANY,” a sign that Bill Franz made in response to a former Owego Mayor’s recommendation to eliminate volunteer firefighters in 2009. Franz brought the sign along to Village board meetings.
Some examples Gavin shared about Bill’s accomplishments still remain a vital part of the community today, including extensive renovations at Owego’s Central Fire Station and establishing infrastructure in the Hallstead Development, as well as other memorable contributions such as the trees that are planted along Fifth Avenue and the placement of historic signs at entry points into the Village, just to cite a few.
Loftus also shared, “Bill always fought for what he believed was right and best.”
In response to a former Owego Mayor’s recommendation to eliminate volunteer firefighters in 2009, Gavin said, like many, Franz was not pleased, and then made a home-made protest sign that read, “1 is TOO MANY;” meaning one termination was too many, and brought the sign along to Village board meetings.
Other comments shared by community members describing Franz include, “He was a pillar of the community,” and “He made Owego a wonderful place to live.”
Franz was a member of the Owego Moose Lodge, Tioga County Sportsman Club, VFW Men’s Auxiliary, and the Sons of the American Legion.
Another group Franz was a member of is called the Squirrel Club, an informal gathering of neighborhood gents, otherwise known as a “bunch of nuts,” who get together daily for coffee to solve the day’s and world’s problems.
Once a Flat Rat, always a Flat Rat. Pictured, is William “Bill” Franz.
His parents and his wife of 50 years, Carol, and his brother, Edward, predeceased Franz. He is survived by his children, Craig and his wife Julie Franz of Malone, N.Y., Theresa Franz of Atlanta, Ga., Daniel and his wife Arianna Franz of Round Rock, Texas; four grandchildren, Tyler, Molly, Abigail and Olivia; one brother and two sisters-in-law, Richard and Patricia Franz, and Rose Franz; dear friend and companion Ginny Veech, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
