Francis J. Mahady, 82, of Sherrill

SHERRILL » Francis J. Mahady, 82, of 516 Betsinger Rd., passed away on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, at Oneida Healthcare.

He was born on June 27, 1935, in Clinton, the son of Robert and Stella Newman Mahady. In 1952, he was a graduate of one of the first graduating classes of VVS High School, and went on to receive an equivalent to a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Utica College of Syracuse University.

On Aug. 24, 1963, Francis was united in marriage to Rose Mary Smith in Vernon.

Fran proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army.

Fran conducted a distinguished career in strategic planning, budgeting, marketing and manufacturing with Oneida, Ltd. As an Assistant to the Managing Director in Northern Ireland, Fran was instrumental in establishing the company’s Irish operating unit. He served as Vice President, Product Operations at Oneida Ltd.’s Sherrill headquarters, during the company’s most successful period as a manufacturer of flatware. He was promoted to President and CEO of Oneida Canada Ltd. in 1983. He retired from Oneida Limited in 1986 after a successful thirtysix-year career.

He was the founding director of the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center at SUNY-IT in 1986. He was the President of Bev-Pak, and founder and Principal of The Lodging Kit Company. Fran was the recipient of the 1996 Outstanding Planning Award from the American Planning Association for his contributions to the Erie Canal Economic Development Strategy with the Sherrill City Planning Committee. In 2014, he was inducted into the VVS Wall of Distinction.

Fran was an avid golfer and bowler throughout the years, and was a member at Oneida Community Golf Course and the CAC.

He loved spending time on Fourth Lake where he enjoyed boating with family and friends. He could re- lax at camp and enjoy spending time with his beautiful granddaughters.

He volunteered for countless community initiatives ranging from Little League coaching, to the organization of care packages for overseas military personnel, and with the VVS School Board.

Surviving besides his loving wife of fifty-three years, Rose Mary. Other surviving relatives included their three children, Michele Haberlach (Gordon Androschuk), of Portland, Ore., Melissa Mahady Wilton (Doug Wilton), of Kingston, Ontario, Canada; and Mark Mahady, of Galveston, Texas; three granddaughters, Mary Kathryn Barlean, of San Diego, Calif., Lydia Claire Wilton, of London, Ontario, Canada, Aria Lara Wilton, of Kingston, Ontario, Canada; a brother, William Mahady, of Vernon; three sisters, Phyllis Gokey, of Waterville, Lucille Decker, of Vernon, June Scoones, of Clark Mills; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Fran was predeceased by his parents; his son-in-law, William Haberlach; three brothers, Robert, Thomas, and Charles; and two sisters, Mary and Anne.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at 1 p.m. at the Ironside Funeral Home, Inc., where the Rev. Stephen Wirkes will officiate. Entombment with Military Honors will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery Mausoleum in New Hartford. Family and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home, 342 Main St., Oneida.

Memorial contributions may be made in Fran’s memory to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Founders Affiliate, PO Box 417005, Boston, Mass., 02241-7005. You may view obituary and send a message of condolence online at:

www.ironsidefuneralhome. com A Trust 100 Funeral Pre-Arrangement Center