Frank S. Acker

Frank S. Acker
Ormond Beach, FL/Waterville
Mr. Frank Stewart Acker, 81, passed away peacefully at his winter residence in Ormond Beach on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, with his beloved wife by his side. He was born in Elkhart, IN on September 6, 1931, son of the late Frank M. and Angeline E. (Stewart) Acker, and grew up in the Utica and Waterville vicinity, attending various schools around Central NY. He participated in the Waterville High School marching band and was an aspiring gymnast there until shoulder surgery cut short further pursuit of that sport. Following service in the U.S. Army, he married, on June 22, 1955, Miss Nancy A. Cowles of Waterville, where the couple spent the majority of their married life, until retiring to Ormond Beach a number of years ago. Mr. Acker was a safety engineer for several insurance companies, beginning his career with Utica Mutual (now Utica National), followed by many years with the Empire Mutual and St. Paul Insurance Companies based in Syracuse. He was also variously self-employed as a sign-maker and wholesale baked goods distributor, among others, until his retirement in the mid-1990s. A quiet man, Frank loved the outdoors, yard work, and being with family, all the while quietly smoking his pipe. He was an avid hunter, and particularly enjoyed his weekends with friends at their hunting camp in the Adirondacks. He also loved to travel, and enjoyed taking his family on weekly summer camping trips throughout the eastern states. A true jack-of-all-trades, he could do and fix just about anything. His children recall being occasionally surprised by their middle-aged dad doing handsprings and cartwheels and other gymnastic stunts probably not performed since his high school days. His gentle presence and wry sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Besides his wife, he is survived by his three children, Gary Acker, Jonathan Acker (fiancee Wendy Paulson), and Mrs. Julie (Donald) Olmstead, all of Waterville; seven grandchildren, Jason (Courtney) Acker of Waterville, Daniel (Debra) Acker, of Whitesboro, Ryan Acker, of Castleton-on-Hudson, Mrs. Erin (Tim) Graham, of Penfield, and Jarrod, Steven and Eli Olmstead, all of Waterville; six great-grandchildren, Garent and Jude Acker, Aidan and Ava Acker, and Kairi and Colin Graham; one brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Doris Acker, of San Antonio, TX; also numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Mrs. Ethel Sigl, Mrs. Edith Wilder and Mrs. Mildred Errgong. A Memorial service and burial will take place at a later date, at the familys convenience. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice.
Frank S. Acker