Francis S. Bateman, Sr.

Ware - Francis S. Bateman, Sr., 83, beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully March 9, 2018.  Francis was born in Niagara Falls, NY on June 21, 1934, son of the late James and Eva (Robins) Bateman.

He joined the United States Army at age 18, and served in the Sixth Helicopter Company, located at Able Five, Korea where he was an operations sergeant during the conflict.  After leaving the Army, he worked on the Niagara Power Project until he was 27, when he moved to Plattsburg, NY.  He worked in the Plattsburg Dairy where he met his wife, Jeannette Belrose.  They were married February 14, 1960.  He also worked with the Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles while in Plattsburg.  The family later moved to Brookfield, and then to Ware, where Francis worked at the American Athletic Shoe Company until he retired in 1984.

He lost his beloved Jeannette, December 26, 1976 of a sudden heart attack.  Later, he met Rosanna Goodwin while out dancing, and continued to keep her dance card full after that.  They were together for 26 years, until he lost her to cancer on April 25, 2005.

Francis was an avid gardener, enjoyed caring for his well renowned blueberry bushes and playing cribbage.  He loved fishing with his children and grandchildren and enjoyed telling fish tales even more.  His children and grandchildren have fond memories of him making spaghetti sauce and his own personal V-9 Juice.  He had a great sense of humor and joked constantly.  He recently learned the value of an iPad: accessing social media, listening to old songs on YouTube and checking on his favorite sports teams.

Francis was preceded in death by his wife, Jeannette Bateman, his son Douglas Bateman Weatherwax, and by his wife Rosanna Goodwin.  He is survived by his children, Harold Bateman Weatherwax and his wife Barbara of Ware, Brenda Marrier and her husband Wayne of Navarre, FL, David Bateman Weatherwax of Phoenix, AZ, Francis Bateman, Jr. and his wife Kristie of Ware, Wilfred Bateman and his wife Sarah of Northbridge, Denise Hammond of Ware, Lucy Goodwin of Canada, Glen Goodwin of Ware, Rita Goodwin Varney of GA, as well as his niece, Eva Swindlehurst and her husband Kris of Ware.  He also leaves 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  

A Funeral Service for Francis will be held on Friday, March 16, 2018 at 10:00AM in the Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant St., in Ware.   Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 15, 2018, from 5 to 7PM in the funeral home.  Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ascend Hospice, 100 Locke Drive, Marlborough, MA 01752.

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