Frank P. Peabody

Frank Phillips Peabody of Ithaca, passed away at Cayuga Medical Center on Sunday, July 19, 2009, at the age of 81.

Born on May 8, 1928 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Frank was the son of the late Frank and Mildred (Thorson) Peabody, Sr. He grew up in Syracuse and attended Onondaga Valley Academy where he excelled in playing baseball and football. He graduated from there with his best friend, Frank Allen. He proudly served his country in the Army Air Corps specializing in cryptology as a Staff Sergeant for 2 years and was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. Under the GI Bill, he attended Utica Technical College where he continued to play baseball and was the President of his fraternity. While attending there he met his future wife, Robin. Upon graduation, he received his associates of science in Retail Marketing.

Married in 1952 and as newlyweds, Frank and Robin resided in Westwood, Massachusetts where he managed 2 Woolworth stores. In 1960, they moved to the farm in Trumansburg and Frank opened his own business. He owned and operated Frank's Amoco in Ithaca for 24 years and served on the National Dealer Advisory Counsel for Amoco Oil Company. In his semi-retirement, he went on to work for Cutting Motors, Dick Wilson Real Estate, Taughannock Farms Inn, and the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport.

At the age of 17, Frank parachuted out of an airplane for the first time while he was in high school. This began his lifelong passion for flying which prompted him to join the Army Air Corps. After marrying and coming to Trumansburg, he successfully acquired his pilot's license at the Ithaca Municipal Airport, which is currently known as the Hanger Theater at Cass Park. For the next 40 years, Frank enjoyed many adventures while flying including his coastal flight from New York to Florida. Many of his flying adventures were shared with his brother-in-law Bruce. This passion inspired another generation of pilots in our family.

Throughout the 1970's, Frank coached summer softball and after the first season of going undefeated, everyone wanted to play on his team. Frank loved and supported his wife, Robin, and four daughters unconditionally. He also enjoyed golfing, snowmobiling, and following the Boston Red Sox.

Frank is survived by his four daughters, Patricia (John) Keith of Interlaken, Pamela Peabody of Ithaca, Pandora Peabody (Brian McSweeny) of Milford, Connecticut, and Penelope (Doug) McGill of Interlaken; seven grandchildren, Sonja (Ryan) Tackett, John Paul (Lindsee) Keith, Ellissa and Tahsha Keith, Celeste (Scott Smith) Peabody, Jon-Philip McGill, and Faith McGill; two sisters, Phyllis Strube and Barbara (Jack) Debevoise; sister-in-law Elizabeth Reynolds; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close family friends, Julie Plezbert and Ted and Lydia Reihner.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Roberta Keith Reynolds; son John Phillips Peabody; his loving in-laws, Chester and Sally Reynolds; two brother-in-laws, Bruce I. Reynolds and Paul Strube; and a sister-in-law Patricia Hasson.

The family will be present to receive friends on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 from 4:00-7:00pm at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 23 at 11:00am at the Trumansburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Michael Corriero officiating. Prayers of committal and military honors will be held in Grove Cemetery at 1:30pm on Thursday.

The family asks those who wish to remember Frank in the form of a contribution to kindly consider the CMC Foundation, c/o the Intensive Critical Care Unit, 101 Dates Dr., Ithaca, New York 14850.

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