Obituary for Franklyn A. Kraus
**PARKING AVAILABLE DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE FUNERAL HOME IN HARRISON MUNICIPAL GARAGE. WALK IN - WALK OUT LEVEL. FREE EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS.**
As most of you know, my father lived into his 99th year of life. My father always liked to say he was born lucky, and this was true. He lived life to the fullest with many hobbies and interests. My father taught me to be kind, to be charitable, and to have a positive outlook on life.
As a young man, he served in World War II in the Seabees of the Navy. When he was in his 30’s he married my mother who was 5 ½ years older than him (My mother was the original cougar), and together they lived a wonderful life. It must have been a wonderful reunion on Tuesday when, I am sure, he saw her again.
This past week we’ve been looking through the many scrapbooks my father made detailing his life. He combined his love for movie making, traveling, and the beauty of America by recording his visits to all 50 state capitals, countless American historical sites, and many national parks which he helped to preserve.
My dad loved music, especially what he called “Popular Music,” To him, popular music was Jazz, the Big Bands of the early to mid-1900s and Frank Sinatra. He even endowed the Performing Arts in Education program at his alma matter, Ohio University. This program brings his love of musical arts to surrounding communities of his beloved University.
And, of course, his claim to fame is the model railroad he built. It’s a testimony to their marriage that my mother was ok with a railroad that took up the entire living room of their apartment at the Osborn. If you had an opportunity to see it, it was truly unforgettable. In fact, he loves trains so much, his ashes are being interned inside this beautiful train box urn. He will be On the Rails for Eternity.
I think the reason for his longevity is that for most of his life, he exercised or walked at least a mile every day. But if you asked him, he would say his secret was the chocolate he ate every day. If music and model trains were his passion, chocolate was his fuel.
There are a few important people that I would like to thank. First his aides that were with him by his side 24/7 since last September. I can’t thank you enough for all that you did to make his last days happy ones.
I would like to thank the Osborn employees. Everyone at the Osborn knew my dad and he rejoiced in the love and community he found there.
Finally, I would also like to thank Amy and Paul. You have always been there for me and in recent years you have been there for my dad as well. I am sincerely grateful that you are in my life.
Although we will miss him terribly, Eric, Jake, Greg and I are celebrating a life well-lived, and we are so very grateful to have had him with us for so many years.
Thank you to everyone for your kind words and support during this time. We appreciate and love everyone of you.
***************************************************************************************************
As many of you know, my father’s wishes were that he be cremated. A short memorial service will be held outdoors at Mount Hope Cemetery at the niche where he is to be interned. Also per my father’s wishes, shiva will not be observed.
Funeral Arrangements for Franklyn Kraus:
Thursday, June 1, 2023
10:00am
Mount Hope Cemetery
50 Jackson Avenue (at Saw Mill River Road)
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
914-478-1855
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5849035074?pwd=TU5tZDdPRzBIOEwwd2s1bG1BTEFzZz09
In life my father was a very charitable man. To honor his memory, any donations may be made to the charity of your choice or to his Performing Arts in Education endowment at Ohio University. Please use the link below and press the Green “Give Now” button to give a memorial gift.
https://give.ohio.edu/funds/performing-arts-education
As most of you know, my father lived into his 99th year of life. My father always liked to say he was born lucky, and this was true. He lived life to the fullest with many hobbies and interests. My father taught me to be kind, to be charitable, and to have a positive outlook on life.
As a young man, he served in World War II in the Seabees of the Navy. When he was in his 30’s he married my mother who was 5 ½ years older than him (My mother was the original cougar), and together they lived a wonderful life. It must have been a wonderful reunion on Tuesday when, I am sure, he saw her again.
This past week we’ve been looking through the many scrapbooks my father made detailing his life. He combined his love for movie making, traveling, and the beauty of America by recording his visits to all 50 state capitals, countless American historical sites, and many national parks which he helped to preserve.
My dad loved music, especially what he called “Popular Music,” To him, popular music was Jazz, the Big Bands of the early to mid-1900s and Frank Sinatra. He even endowed the Performing Arts in Education program at his alma matter, Ohio University. This program brings his love of musical arts to surrounding communities of his beloved University.
And, of course, his claim to fame is the model railroad he built. It’s a testimony to their marriage that my mother was ok with a railroad that took up the entire living room of their apartment at the Osborn. If you had an opportunity to see it, it was truly unforgettable. In fact, he loves trains so much, his ashes are being interned inside this beautiful train box urn. He will be On the Rails for Eternity.
I think the reason for his longevity is that for most of his life, he exercised or walked at least a mile every day. But if you asked him, he would say his secret was the chocolate he ate every day. If music and model trains were his passion, chocolate was his fuel.
There are a few important people that I would like to thank. First his aides that were with him by his side 24/7 since last September. I can’t thank you enough for all that you did to make his last days happy ones.
I would like to thank the Osborn employees. Everyone at the Osborn knew my dad and he rejoiced in the love and community he found there.
Finally, I would also like to thank Amy and Paul. You have always been there for me and in recent years you have been there for my dad as well. I am sincerely grateful that you are in my life.
Although we will miss him terribly, Eric, Jake, Greg and I are celebrating a life well-lived, and we are so very grateful to have had him with us for so many years.
Thank you to everyone for your kind words and support during this time. We appreciate and love everyone of you.
***************************************************************************************************
As many of you know, my father’s wishes were that he be cremated. A short memorial service will be held outdoors at Mount Hope Cemetery at the niche where he is to be interned. Also per my father’s wishes, shiva will not be observed.
Funeral Arrangements for Franklyn Kraus:
Thursday, June 1, 2023
10:00am
Mount Hope Cemetery
50 Jackson Avenue (at Saw Mill River Road)
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
914-478-1855
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5849035074?pwd=TU5tZDdPRzBIOEwwd2s1bG1BTEFzZz09
In life my father was a very charitable man. To honor his memory, any donations may be made to the charity of your choice or to his Performing Arts in Education endowment at Ohio University. Please use the link below and press the Green “Give Now” button to give a memorial gift.
https://give.ohio.edu/funds/performing-arts-education