Obituary of Francis S. Larkin

Francis Sidney Larkin, born February 14, 1911 died Sunday, January 20, 2002. He was predeceased by his father, Francis (Frank) and his mother, Blanche (Hill) Larkin; two brothers, US Navy Commander, Robert P. Larkin and US Marine Gunnery Sgt. Richard L. Larkin. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth (English) Larkin; sons, Francis M. and Judith Larkin, Conklin, Christopher H. and Donna Larkin, Severna Park, Md.; daughter, Ellen Elizabeth Larkin, Seminole, Fla.; an older sister, Dorothy Larkin Foesten, Binghamton; three grandchildren, Jessica, Mary Elizabeth and Christopher Francis. Upon graduating from Binghamton Central High School, he went to New York City to study drama and theater. The crash of "1929" made it impossible to continue. He took a position with Carl Fischer Musical Company of New York to cover the west coast of the United States. Five years later, he was called home, upon the death of his father, to run Larkin Musical Instrument Company. When WWII broke out, he was employed by the National Office of the Red Cross as a Field Director in the Tropics. Upon the end of the war, he came back to Binghamton, served one time as, President of Larkin Music, President of Kiawanis Club, President of Civic Music, President of Dial Club, President of Civic Theater, where he acted in many plays and musicals such as Inherit the Wind, Carosel and Camp Hill on television on channel 12 (WBNG). He was chairman of Binghamton Retail Merchants, member of Board of Directors of Binghamton Chamber, Chairman of Membership and member of the Board of the YMCA, Republican Committee Man and member of the County Finance Committee, member of the Union Parks Band, Treasurer of the Musicians Union, Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templer, honorary member of the Binghamton Club. Memorial services will be held at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church, 44 Main St., Binghamton Friday at 12 noon. Rev. Noreen P. Suriner, rector, will officiate. Burial will be in Kattelville Cemetery, Kattelville at the convenience of the family. The family will receive friends in the Common Room of Trinity Church Friday from 10 a.m. until service time at 12 noon. Arrangements are by the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton, N.Y.