Frederick Allen Tanner

CAYUGA | Frederick A. Tanner, 94, of Cayuga, died Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, in Auburn Community Hospital. Mr. Tanner was born in Port Byron, the son of the late William T. and Bertha M. Tanner and had resided in the Cayuga, Union Springs, and Liverpool areas for most of his life.

He was a graduate of Hobart College, Class of 1941, with a BS degree in chemistry. Following graduation, he became employed as a research chemist with Solvay Process, a division of the Allied Chemical Company. In 1943, Mr. Tanner enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in the China-Burma-India Campaign during World War II.

Following the war, he returned to Allied Chemical, retiring in 1971. Mr. Tanner also served as laboratory supervisor for the Onondaga County Department of Waste Water Treatment Facility for several years.

Mr. Tanner was a member of the Liverpool No. 501 F. and A.M., a member of the American Legion Post No. 1 of Washington, D.C. and the Lazy B's camping organization. In addition, he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed spending his summers and falls hunting and fishing around Cayuga Lake or in Ompah, Ont., Canada. He also enjoyed playing pitch with his neighborhood friends and following Syracuse University and Hobart College sports. He served as a volunteer for the Syracuse University Football program for several years and was a spirited New York Yankee fan. He and his late wife, June were accomplished and talented ballroom dancers. They also enjoyed attending their grandchildren's activities and sporting events.

Surviving is one daughter, Lori D. Lorraine and her husband, Gary, of Fairport; two sons, Dr. Frederick A. Tanner II and his wife, Janet, of Reading Center, N.Y. and Dean N. Tanner and his wife, Judy, of Union Springs; one brother, Coral W. Tanner and his wife, Phyllis, of Union Springs; nine grandchildren, Stacie Lorraine and her husband, Brian Pantekoek, of Queens, Katharine Lorraine-Mace and her husband, Rick Mace, of West Hartford, Conn., Amanda L. Gasse and her husband, Ken, of Andover, Mass., Heidi E. Brantley, of Oneonta, Jennifer L. Riley and her husband, Clint, of State College, Pa., Lia J. Mesaric and her husband, Tim, of Greenville, S.C., Melanie L. Gilmore and her husband, John, of Port Byron, Erin K. Mead and her husband, Douglas, of Elbridge and Jeffrey A. Tanner, of Ellenville, N.Y.; 17 great-grandchildren, Olyvia Mead, Gabriel Mead, Owen Gilmore, Jacob Gilmore, Eriq Gasse, Ethan Gasse, Ryan Gasse, Wilder Pantekoek, Tyler Frederick Pantekoek, Fox Mace, Piper Mace, Mary Brantley, Elizabeth Brantley, Tanner Marie Riley, Tanner Mesaric, Jack Mesaric and Liam Mesaric and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Tanner was predeceased by his wife, June Gardner, who died in 1995 and a brother, William T. Tanner, III, who died in 1987.

Memorial services will be held in the spring, at a time, date and place to be announced.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Cayuga Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 315, Cayuga, NY 13034, in memory of Mr. Tanner.

The Shakelton Funeral Home of Aurora is in charge of arrangements.