He was born in Milford, NY and later moved to Forest Ave in the East End of Oneonta. He attended Oneonta Schools and was drafted into the US Army as a PFC in 1943 and served two years between Italy and Africa in WWII. Earl was honorably discharged in 1945 with a Good Conduct Metal and European African Middle East Service Metal.
Earl married Merle Lederer in 1946. He is survived by Merle and his children Jeanne DeSilva, of Franklin; Gary Hitchcock, of Rochester; Susan and Thomas Gregory of Unadilla; Richard and Amanda Hitchcock of Watsontown PA. He was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
He worked on the D&H Railroad for 17 years and then was hired at Bendix Engine Division (currently Amphenol Corp) as a machinist and continued to work there for 27 years until he retired in 1986.
Over the years he enjoyed Crossword puzzles, Camping, League Bowling, Sunday softball league, working in his garden and Square Dancing for 20 years in his spare time. He was an avid Giants Football Enthusiast and a NY Giant fan until they moved to San Francisco, then became a devoted Yankee Baseball Fan. He was once a member of the Eagles Club in Oneonta, American Legion and Moose Club in Sidney.
Earl was predeceased by his sisters and brother-in- laws Margaret Wathier (Jack); Beatrice Ott (Clyde) of Myrtle Beach; his son-in-law Roger DeSilva and great grandson Matthew DeSilva of Franklin; granddaughter Caitlin Elizabeth Hitchcock of Rochester, and several cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be on Friday, January 17th at the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, 425 Main Street, Franklin, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and the funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 18th at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Franklin at 3:00pm. Reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your choice of the Catskill Area Hospice or the Delaware Valley Humane Society.
Your support and compassion has been greatly appreciated by the family and we are thankful he no longer suffers and will rest in a peaceful hereafter awaiting his families rejoining.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website at www.bennettfh.com.
Arrangements are by the Kenneth L. Bennett Funeral Home, Franklin.
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