Francis J. Marr

August 2, 1928 - December 14, 2014

COOPERSTOWN - Francis Jay Marr, a life-long area resident, died Sunday evening, December 14, 2014, at Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Otsego. He was 86.

Born August 2, 1928, at home in the Town of Burlington, Francis was raised and lived in several different areas around Hartwick. In his youth, he attended district schools, beginning with the Potter School and later the White House School.

On March 9, 1957, Francis married the former Barbara E. Race at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartwick Seminary. 

Francis' first full-time job was working on Stephen King's farm just south of Cooperstown. After working for several other area farms, Francis went to work in 1958 at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. For 35 years, he was employed in housekeeping, distributing linen and making sure bedding got to patients when they needed it. As a Bassett employee once wrote, "He is the Rock of Gibraltar" and one of those behind the scenes people who made Bassett Hospital go. Besides a near spotless attendance record at work, the other profound thing about Francis were his feet. Undaunted by rain, sleet, snow or dark of night, he walked the three miles from his home in Toddsville to work and back several times a week, something he did ever since he started at the hospital.  He never got a driver's license and even though he hopped an occasional ride to work, foot power remained his preferred means of travel.  

He will be remembered as a soft spoken, amiable person who spoke through his actions.

Francis is survived by one son, Paul Francis Marr of Unadilla; four sisters, Dorothy Knapp and her husband, Anson, of Milford, Alma Baker of Cooperstown, Virginia Rathbun of Schenectady and Elaine Himes of Manassas, Virginia; and many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Dennis Baker, who provided Francis with so much care in his final years.

He was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Barbara Marr, who died March 20, 2001; one brother, Frederick E. Marr who died December 27, 1993; and one sister, Helen Lincourt who died August 31, 1996.

A memorial service will be offered at 11a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2014, at the Hartwick Christian Church with the Rev. Laverne H. Saxer, pastor, officiating.

Burial will be private at a later date in Hartwick Seminary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Francis' family suggests that memorial gifts be made to the Arc of Otsego County, P. O. Box 490, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.  


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.