Francis E. Horner

1928 - 2015

Francis E. Horner obituary, 1928-2015, Southington, CT

BORN

1928

DIED

2015

FUNERAL HOME

Forastiere Smith Funeral Home & Cremation - East Longmeadow

220 North Main Street

East Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Francis Horner Obituary



Francis E. Horner, 87, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at his home in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Known affectionately as "Gene", "Dad", "Poppy" or "Gramps", he loved and was loved by many. Born on January 5, 1928 in Springfield, MA. to Francis E Horner, Sr. and Evelyn (Bishop) Horner, he proudly served in the US Navy during World War II as an electrician on the Battleship Wisconsin. He graduated from Springfield's Trade High School while serving his country. Gene retired from the Longmeadow Public School System where he loved the variety in his work in the Maintenance Department. His hobbies included playing the organ, guitar, and harmonica, ballroom dancing, woodworking, electrical gadgets, mechanics of any type, and reading technical repair manuals. He also enjoyed watching episodes of The Walton's, a show that reminded him of life growing up during the Great Depression. His wife, Barbara "Corkie" (Kennedy) Horner, predeceased him in 2001. They shared 51 wonderful years together. Gene was proud of the house he and Corkie built in Longmeadow, where he lived for 65 years, as well as a summer home they built in Oquossoc, Rangeley Plantation, ME. More importantly, he was honored that he and she provided a stable and loving home to their three daughters. He is survived by his daughters, Linda Bernard and her husband Peter (Bonita Springs, FL), Patricia Budri and her husband Michael (West Springfield, MA), and Dr. Kathleen Wall and her husband William (Southington, CT); his siblings, Dorothy Frenette (Westfield, MA), Marjorie Hughes and husband Roger (Corinna, ME), and Donald Horner and wife Jackie (Enfield, CT); grandchildren Jason Bradley (Oakdale, LA), Kevin Bradley and wife Melissa (Westfield, MA), and Anthony Budri and wife Kimberly (Longmeadow, MA), Catherine Budri (Westfield, MA), Stephanie Duggan and husband Sean (Enfield, CT), and Timothy Budri and his fiancé Jessica Dascani (Enfield, CT); great grandchildren Allie, Aidan, and Connor Bradley (Jacksonville, FL), Carter Bradley (Westfield, MA), Emilie and Luca Budri (Longmeadow, MA), Zachary Duggan (Enfield, CT), and Declan Budri (Enfield, CT). He cherished his many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews from coast-to-coast, as well as his special friend, Florence Lyons (Springfield, MA). Our family especially thanks the loving community of friends and neighbors in Longmeadow who looked after and helped our Dad: Henry and Sandy Dutcher, Tom and Kathy Heaton, Paul and Patty Lavertue, and Henry Salvas. Also, special gratitude to the Longmeadow Fire Department Paramedic Ambulance Service, and all emergency responders who provided great care through the years. Gene's funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., in East Longmeadow, MA at 11:00 am with Reverend Robert Gormbley officiating. Burial and Military Honors will follow at Hillcrest Park Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, June 29, 2015 at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home. Gene's family appreciates flowers, and memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka Kansas, 66675 or the Longmeadow Fire Department Paramedic Ambulance Service, 44 Williams Street, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Those wishing to sign the guest book may do so online at www.forastiere.com

Published by Hartford Courant on Jun. 28, 2015.
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Happy Valentines Day, Poppy!
It seems you were taken away from all of us so suddenly and seemingly unexpectedly. I know I just wasn't ready to say good bye so soon. It is of great comfort to know that you are resting peacefully in heaven with all of the loved ones and friends that have gone before you.
It was my honor to take care of you as needed after Mom passed away. We had lots of nice chats, parties to attend and a quite a few of your favorite cook outs together. You enjoyed family gatherings as family was very important to you.
You are missed by all of us, your family, friends and neighbors.
Rest easy, Pops!
Love,
Patty

Patty Budri

February 14, 2016

Happy 66th Wedding Anniversary, Dad and Mom. Together again forever.

Love you both dearly,
Linda

July 2, 2015

Our sincere Condolences to all the Horner Family. Gene, a wonderful neighbor of 20 years and grew to be part of our family. Gene played a grandfather role to our son Joe, he most enjoyed stories and teachings as a young lad would, Paul and Gene shared the interest of Electricity; motors and controls, etc. As for me, I loved the fact he was comfortable with us to join along with Fireside Chats and gatherings. We will truly Miss you Gene!! The Lavertues

Pat Lavertue

June 29, 2015

Dad, over the years you mentioned many times that it was your hope to provide a stable, loving home for Mother, Patty, Kate, and me. You wanted your three daughters to grow up in the house that you and Mother so lovingly built for us. You also wanted us to have an excellent education through the Longmeadow Schools, and all three of us thrived from Kingergarten through High School graduation. You were delighted when we exceeded your goals and graduated from college. Patty became a licensed nurse, and is also an fantastic mother for four of your granchildren. Kate rose rapidly up the corporate ladder at Riverside Park, and ultimately earned her Doctorates Degree, and is a Professor at several colleges. I graduated from UMass with a degree in Interior Design, and had a fabulous career. I know you are so proud of all three of us: Job well done, Dad!

All of us love you dearly. While we grieve your passing, we are grateful for your love and guidance: Not only for my Sisters and me, but for your six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. And now the Family will rest you next to our beloved Mother, with full military honors.

God bless you, Dad. I will love you forever.

Linda

Linda Bernard

June 28, 2015

Dearest Uncle Gene...Your passing has left a hole in the hearts of all that loved you. You were a wonderful father, uncle, brother, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. I'm so glad we got to visit at the family reunion last summer. I'll always remember the summer birthday parties for Gram at your house when we were all little kids, you playing the harmonica and organ, dancing at weddings and most treasured is the beautiful clock that you and Aunt Corkie made for me. It has been hanging in a place of honor in my living room for 24 years! Each time I look at it I will remember all the wonderful times. I take comfort knowing you are with Jesus, Aunt Corkie, Gram and all of the other relatives in Heaven. I know you will be watching over the family here on earth. Someday we will all meet again. Until then your love will always be in my heart. Condolences to Linda, Pat, Kate and their families. With love always, Sandy

Sandy Hughes

June 26, 2015

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Memorial Events
for Francis Horner

Jun

29

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Forastiere Smith Funeral Home & Cremation - East Longmeadow

220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028

Jun

30

Funeral

11:00 a.m.

Forastiere Smith Funeral Home & Cremation - East Longmeadow

220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028

Jun

30

Burial

Hillcrest Park Cemetery

CT

Funeral services provided by:

Forastiere Smith Funeral Home & Cremation - East Longmeadow

220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028

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