E. ‶Fran″ Hurd Francis

Francis E. “Fran” Hurd, age 90, of Indian Hills in Waterloo and longtime resident of Lodi, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday (Apr. 29, 2014) at Rochester General Hospital following a sudden heart attack.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00pm on Sunday, May 4, 2014 and on Monday, May 5, 2014 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Covert Funeral Home, 7199 South Main Street in Ovid. A Memorial Service will then be held at 11:00am on Monday, May 5, 2014 at the funeral home, officiated by Pastor Diane Walker of the Ovid Federated Church, assisted by Pastor Dave Vittum of Calvary Chapel and Fr. John Tokaz of St. James Catholic Church. Military Honors and prayers of committal will be offered at Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Romulus. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation in Fran’s memory to the Lodi Fire Department, PO Box 299, Lodi, NY 14860

Fran was born in Borden, NY on February 2, 1924, a son of the late Walter B. and Cora (Williams) Hurd. His family later moved to Lawrenceville, PA where he received his education. Fran received his draft letter in 1943 at the age of 17, and the day after his 18th birthday, he entered active duty in the US Army. As a Corporal Technician in the motor pool of the 291st Combat Engineers during WWII, he was instrumental in the invasion of Utah Beach. The 291st built the first pontoon bridge across the Rhine River, allowing the first American troops into Nazi homeland. Fran was discharged in 1945 with 5 Bronze Stars. Fran was recently contributed to a documentary on the American Heroes Channel, Against the Odds-Those Damned Engineers . During his years overseas, he corresponded with a young girl in Lodi, Olive Baker. Upon his return in 1945, they began dating and were married four months later. Fran worked as a driver for Close Oil Company in Lodi for more than 30 years. He was instrumental in local politics, and served as the Lodi Town Supervisor from 1972-1990. He continued working at the county highway department and then at the Seneca County office building. He was recently honored by the Seneca County Board of Supervisors for his years of dedicated service to Seneca County. Fran was a Life Member of the Lodi Fire Department, South Seneca Sportsmen’s Club and the Ovid VFW Post #6200. He enjoyed many camping trips with his family, hunting and fishing. Fran will be fondly remembered for his devotion to his wife and family, his warm smile and friendly handshake.

He is survived by a son, Charles (Linda) Hurd of Waterloo, a daughter, Connie (Paul) Polce of Trumansburg; grandchildren, Andrew (Kelly )Hurd of Auburn, Matthew Hurd of Auburn, Paula (Adam) Chard of Oneonta and Sally (Brian Procopio) Polce of Liverpool; great grandchildren, Mackenzie, Mercedes, Miranda and Mattia Hurd, Mason and Jackson Chard, and his companion, Sharon Vreeland of Waterloo and many nieces and nephews. Fran was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years in 2007, Olive, by a brother, William Hurd and sisters, Beatrice Kohler and Marjorie Colgrove.