Frederick John Atkins

AUBURN < Frederick John Atkins, 95, of Auburn, died Friday, March 6, 2009, at Auburn Memorial Hospital. Mr. Atkins was born on Dec. 30, 1913, the son of the late Edwin H. and Georgia Van den Bosch Atkins. He was a graduate of Auburn Senior High School, Class of 1933 and a graduate of Auburn Business School. Mr. Atkins was formerly employed for more than 35 years by the Columbian Rope Co. in the Accounting Department, retiring in December 1978 as a credit manager. He was a member of the Syracuse Chapter of the National Association of Credit Management, serving a term as president. Mr. Atkins was very active in the community starting in his teenage years, when he was a member of Auburn Chapter, Order of DeMolay. When he became a Mason, he was a Dad advisor of the chapter. He received the DeMolay Legion of Honor and also was awarded the DeMolay Cross of Honor. Mr. Atkins was a member since January 1938 of the St. Paul"s Lodge, now known as the Auburn Lodge No. 124 of Free and Accepted Masons. He served on the Board of Trustees and also served as secretary for the Temple. In addition, he was a member of King David"s Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church since January 1929, having served on three boards of the church < Deacons, Session and Trustees. He had also served as treasurer of the church for 18 years. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Faatz-Crofut Home for the Elderly for many years, serving as its secretary-treasurer. He served on the Board of Directors of the Unity House of Cayuga County Inc. for more than 20 years as the treasurer, and he was a member of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross, Cayuga County Chapter, recently serving as the treasurer. He also was a member of the Board of Trustees for the D.E. French Foundation, and he has been a volunteer driver and server for the Meals on Wheels Program for more than 20 years. He is survived by three sons, Neil F. Atkins and his wife Maggie, of Canandaigua, Dr. Thomas G. Atkins, of South Padre Island, Texas, and John H. Atkins and his wife Sally, of Rochester; two grandsons, Chad H. and Matthew A. Atkins; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Mildred Herrmann, who died Dec. 21, 1998; and two brothers, Charles W. and Edwin G. Atkins. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, in the First Presbyterian Church of Auburn, 112 South St., Auburn. Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at the Brew Funeral Home, 48 South St., Auburn. Auburn Masonic Lodge No. 124 will conduct a service at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Interment will be in Fort Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to The Home, 46 Grant Ave., Auburn, NY 13021; The Cayuga County Red Cross, 11 State St., Auburn, NY 13021; Unity House, in memory of Frederick Atkins, 34 Wright Ave., Auburn, NY 13021; or to the First Presbyterian Church of Auburn Memorial Fund, in memory of Mr. Frederick J. Atkins.