Francis Grates

Mr. Francis Grates

Mr. Francis Grates

Mr. Francis Grates, 71, passed away on November 29, 2025, in Little Falls Hospital, Little Falls, with his family by his side.

He was born in Ilion, NY, on December 24, 1953 the son of the late Frank and Pauline Puleo Grates. He attended Frankfort schools and graduated from Frankfort Schuyler High School with the class of 1972. He was employed as an analyst for Utica Community Action and later as Director of Oneida County Justice Center. He also served as the Mayor of Frankfort from 1987 to 1990. He was a communicant of Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church.

Fran is survived by his son, Ethan Foster; two sisters and one brother in law, Barbara and Jerry Waldo and Lucille Grates all of Herkimer; a special niece, Sarah Foster Thomes (Robert) of Herkimer and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Francis was preceded in death by his father and his mother, Frank and Pauline Grates and one brother, Joseph Grates on February 9, 2018

His funeral will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM in Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, S. Frankfort St., Frankfort where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Paul Catena, Pastor. Spring interment will be held in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

His funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the V.J. Iocovozzi Funeral Home, Inc., Frankfort, New York.

Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Francis's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com.