Frank Sprague
Frank Sprague
Frank Sprague

Obituary of Frank W. Sprague

Please share a memory of Frank to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
Fort Edward/Gouverneur: Frank W. Sprague, 90, formerly of Gouverneur, NY passed away peacefully in his sleep, Thursday, October 2, 2014, at Fort Hudson Health Care Facility. Born January 5, 1924 in Gouverneur, he was the son of the late Lynn and Grace (Mix) Sprague. Following his graduation from Gouverneur High School in 1942, Frank worked for Western Union Telegraph Co. for a short time. Frank enlisted in the United States Army in 1942, where he proudly served his country with the 1058 Signal Company, 4th Air Depot Group in the Southwest Pacific, Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines, obtaining his highest rank of T4. Upon his honorable discharged in 1946, Frank graduated from Simmons School of Embalming and shortly thereafter began his career in undertaking, working alongside his father, Lynn and brother, Paul, at the Sprague Funeral Home. Following his father’s death, he continued to serve local families until his retirement in 1987, after nearly 40 years of dedicated service to his beloved community of Gouverneur. He married Norma E. Zimmerman on April 22, 1946 in Leonardtown, MD. For several years, Frank raised and raced homing pigeons and won several trophies by sending his birds to locations over 500 miles away. He was a very community minded man who was involved in many local organizations; he was a member and Past Master of the Gouverneur Lodge #217 Free and Accepted Masons, Elks Lodge #2035, Odd Fellows Lodge #325, charter life member of VFW Post #6338, American Legion Post #65, lifelong member of the Gouverneur Rod and Gun Club, the National Rifle Association, New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, the New York Exempt Fireman Association, Gouverneur Exempt Fireman Association, Thousand Island Pigeon Club, and the American Racing Pigeon Union. He was a past member and chairman of the St. Lawrence Co. Environmental Council, member of the St. Lawrence-Franklin Co. Water Resources Board, St. Lawrence Co. and NYS Funeral Directors Associations, and a charter member and Past President of the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club; he also served as Scoutmaster of Troop #21 and on the St. Lawrence County Forest Practice Board for several years. He was a communicant of the United Methodist Church in Gouverneur. In addition to his parents, and beloved wife of 64 years, Frank was predeceased by a grandson, Forrest Sprague, brothers, Ward and Hugh Sprague, and his sisters, Helen Gardner and Clara Ferguson. He is survived by three children, Andrew C. Sprague and his wife, Marie, of Warrensburg, NY, Lynn Sprague of Hendersonville, NC, and Bethany Sprague of Davis, CA; four granddaughters, Cammie Simmes, Heather Kennedy, Juliet Schatzberger and Sara Beebe; two grandsons, Max Stahl and Andrew L. Sprague; and a sister, Faye Hopper, as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Frank’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Fort Hudson for their outstanding care and compassion toward Frank. At Frank’s request there will be no calling hours or funeral services scheduled. Burial will take place privately, at the convenience of the family in the New Riverside Cemetery, Gouverneur, NY Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Frank’s memory to Fort Hudson Health Care Facility, 319 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828-1221. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book, condolences, and directions.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Frank
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Alexander-Baker Funeral Home
Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Ongoing
Online Event
About this Event
Frank Sprague

In Loving Memory

Frank Sprague

1924 - 2014

Look inside to read what others have shared
Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book.
Share Your Memory of
Frank