Fannie May Pratt, 91 of 210 Airport Road, North Aurora, Ill., formerly of Hornell, passed away Wednesday morning (March 4, 2009) at the Countryside Health Center in Aurora. Ill. Born in Elmira on May 31, 1917, she was a daughter of the late Leo and Ethel Quick Burdett.
On Nov. 1, 1937 she was married in Hornell to Ross J. Pratt, who predeceased her on May 29, 1987 after 50 years of marriage. Besides her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her son, Kenneth Pratt; her grandson, Christopher Gessner; her brother, Bud Burdett and sister, Wilma Burdett.
A resident of Hornell for most of her life, Fannie has resided in North Aurora, Ill. for the past four years. She was a graduate of Hornell High School and was employed as a school crossing guard for the City of Hornell and was a sales clerk at the former Big N in North Hornell. Fannie was a member of the Women of the Moose Lodge No. 620 in Hornell and enjoyed crocheting, playing euchre, spending time at Keuka Lake or on the beach at Myrtle Beach at the old Apache Motel also watching baseball (especially the N.Y. Yankees,) attending the annual Hornell High School Alumni Banquet and her roses.
Her family includes her son, Gary Pratt of Deposit, NY; her daughter, Marian (James) Gessner of Montgomery, Ill.; her daughter-in-law, Elaine Pierce of Canisteo, NY; her five grandchildren, Kenneth J. Pratt of Canisteo, NY, Kjersti Pratt of Murrel's Inlet, SC., Brooks (Carly) Pratt of Deposit, NY, Kristen Gessner of Yorkville, Ill., Andrea (Bill) Hatzinger of Montgomery, Ill.; her eight great-grandchildren, Danika and Alec Pratt, Sidney McLaughlin, Hayden, Melanie, Annabella and Violet Pratt and Ross Hatzinger; also her nephew, Bud Burdett.
Calling hours are from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, NY where a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Committal services and interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Town of Fremont, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to either the Hornell High School Alumni Assoc. PO Box 135, Hornell, NY 14843 or to the Hornell Area Humane Society, PO Box 533, Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
According to Bud's obituary of Sep 1996, his last residence was 136 East Elm Street. He resided in Hornell most of his life and attended Hornell High School. He was employed as a brakeman for the former Erie and Erie-Lackawanna Railroads for over 35 years.
Bud was a World War II veteran and acieved the rank of Master Sergeant while serving in the U.S. Army. During the 1950's and 1960's when Fast Pitch Softball was most popular, "Bud" was considered one of the finest pitchers in New York State. In later years, he helped coach girls Fast Pitch Softball in Hornell, Whitesville, and Alfred-Almond. He was always willing to instruct and work with young pitchers, helping them reach their full potential. He also served as a Little League coach and was active in Babe Ruth League Baseball.
An avid sports enthusiast, Mr. Burdett enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years, and more recently enjoyed bowling and golf. He was a member of the Hornell Twin Hickory Golf Club and former member of the Hornell Veterans of Foreign Wars and sons of Italy.
Rita A. Burdett, 80, of 136 East Elm Street, died Monday afternoon (Aug. 21, 2000) at St. James Mercy Hospital, following a long illness.
A native and life resident of Hornell, she was born Dec. 26, 1919, and was the daughter of John and Sarah Walters. Rita was a graduate of Hornell High School and later was employed as an operator at the New York Telephone Company for many years. She later had been employed as a switchboard operator at St. James Mercy Hospital.
A Communicant of St. Ann's Church, she was married for 54 years to Leo "Bud" Burdett who died Sept. 14, 1996. Rita's life was devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren and her many, many friends.
Surviving are two sons, William (Beverly) Burdett of Waterloo and Leo "Bud" (Annette) Burdett, Jr. of Hornell; one sister, Thelma Sisk of
Van Nuys, Calif.; three grandchildren, Christopher Burdett, Hilary Burdett and Kristina Burdett.
The family of Rita A. Burdett will receive friends on today (Wednesday) from 2 to 4 & 7 to 9 p.m. at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Ann's Church. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.
HORNELL -- William J. "Bill" Burdett, 56, of 2076 Edwards Rd., Waterloo, formerly of Hornell, died unexpectedly on Wednesday (Feb. 12, 2003) at Geneva General Hospital, where he was taken after being stricken at home.
He was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1964), Alfred State College (class of 1967) and R.I.T. (class of 1969). Bill entered the US Army in Nov. 1970, and was commissioned from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga. He trained and instructed the Basic Training Troops during the Vietnam War from 1971-1973. For the past 29 years, he was employed at several manufacturing companies including Chesebrough-Ponds, Avon, and Burnes of Boston (Hallmark Inc.). For the past 11 years Bill served as vice president and plant manager of ZOTOS International of Geneva, a company specializing in the manufacturing and distribution of salon hair care products.
On Sept. 6, 1969, Bill was married to the former Beverly Allis, who survives. Together they raised, trained and raced greyhounds in Massachusetts, where they resided from 1985-1993. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 33 years; his loving family; his beloved pet dogs, Smiley, Girly, Flynn and Sean; as well as the many people whose lives he touched in his personal and working relationships.
Bill's work ethic, dedication and sense of humor were always present, even through the tense and difficult times of his life. Although he was considered a "hard worker," he liked to find time to play a round of golf or take a trip to New York City to catch a Broadway Play or Broadway Show.
In addition to his wife, survivors include his brother, Leo "Bud" (Annette) Burdett of Depew; two nieces, Hilary Burdett and Kristina Burdett; one nephew, Christopher Burdett; two aunts; and several cousins.
There will be no prior calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 1 p.m. at St. Ann's Church, with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery.