Francis R. Van Valkenburg

Francis R. Van Valkenburg, 91, of East Syracuse, NY, Cicero, NY, and Ocala, FL, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2014, in Cape Coral, FL, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

“Van” served proudly in the Southwest Pacific during World War II as a decorated C-47 pilot in the Army Air Corp’s renowned “Jungle Skippers” 317th Troop Carrier Group. He retired as a Major in the Air Force Reserve after more than 20 years of service. Francis also retired from Carrier Corporation as a Process/Quality Control Manager/Engineer after 30 years of service. He and wife Mary happily spent most of their retirement years in Boynton Beach, FL, and Ocala, FL.

Mr. Van Valkenburg was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Mary Stokes Van Valkenburg, his grandson Jeffrey Dupuis, his sister Doris Fadden, and brother Richard Van Valkenburg.

Surviving are his two children Diane Dupuis and Jon Van Valkenburg, six grandchildren – Matthew Dupuis, Kristen Dupuis, Jon David Van Valkenburg, Scott Van Valkenburg, Kara Van Valkenburg, and Erika Van Valkenburg – and three great-grandchildren.