ONEIDA - Franklyn A. Grower Jr., 81, of Pearl Street, retired captain of the Oneida Police Department, died Friday, Aug. 12, 2011.

Born in Rome on Feb. 25, 1930, he was a resident of Oneida for the past 51 years. He was a lifetime communicant, and married Joanne Elizabeth Patterelli on April 11, 1953 in St. Agatha's Church.

Following his graduation from Verona High School in 1947, Frank enlisted in the National Guard. He served as squad sergeant, heavy weapons platoon with Company G, 3rd Batallion (Infantry), re-designated as Company B, 108th Infantry, 27th Division.

Upon his discharge in 1948, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served in Germany and received several commendations as a senior installer cable man, United States Security Service from 1949-52.

Frank re-activated his service in 1953 as sergeant in Company B, 108th Infantry and was promoted to sergeant first class in 1954. As a tank commander, he assisted his unit's transition to armor-Company B, 208th Battalion, 27th Armor Division.

Upon his discharge in 1958, Frank became a patrolman with the Oneida Police Department. He completed FBI training in firearms instruction and was considered an expert marksman. He rose to the rank of sergeant in 1963, lieutenant in 1964, and captain in 1974. Frank received many commendations for excellence and bravery, served as acting chief of police from 1976-77, and retired in 1986.

Frank drove school bus for the Oneida City School District from 1970-94, and earned a record of 24 accident-free years. He was a life member of the Willard Prior Parent-Teachers Organization and served as its co-president.

Surviving besides his wife, Joanne, are three daughters and two sons-in-law, Nancy Fowler of Eaton, Kathleen and Ronald Millson of Clarksburg, W. Va. and Francine Grower-Selleck and Brent Selleck of Oneida; one son and daughter-in-law, Franklyn A. and Mary Ann Grower III of North Syracuse; 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 9:15 a.m. Tuesday (tomorrow) from the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, 260 Main St., Oneida and 10 a.m. from St. Agatha's Church, where the funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. William Mesmer. Interment, with full military honors, will be made in St. Agatha's Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home 3-7 p.m. today. Contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413.

Published by The Oneida Daily Dispatch from Aug. 12 to Aug. 15, 2011