BROCKPORT: Banks, Richard A., died May 24, 2026, at age 84. Born January 20, 1942, Richard was the son of the late Robert Banks Sr. and Bobbie (Ricks) Banks. Besides his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 47 years, Peggy (Holloway) Banks; siblings, Billy Eugene Banks, Troy Banks, and Ruth Banks Crawford; several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his sister, Doris L. (Willie) Wilson of Texas; niece, Tanisha Wilson; nephew, Shrone Wilson, both of TX; and brother, Robert Banks Jr. of Lyons, GA. Raised in Lyons, Georgia, Richard moved to Brockport, where he built a career as a supervisor at A&P, becoming a respected member of the local community. Richard was a longtime active member of Christian Center Church in Brockport and was an integral part of the renovation of the new church on King Street. Richard was widely known for his elegant and stylish appearance and a deep passion for music and gardening. He found joy in fishing and was always engaged in creative projects—constantly tinkering and staying active.
A Celebration of Richard’s Life and Funeral Service was held on June 2 at the Christian Center Church. Interment in Garland Cemetery. Donations in his memory can be made to Mt. Carmel House, 288 Frisbee Hill Road, Hilton, NY 14468. Arrangements entrusted to Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home, Holley. Share memories and offer condolences at www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
BROCKPORT: Keenan, Francis W., age 90, emeritus professor at the College at Brockport, New York, died on May 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM. He was born July 30, 1935, in Danville, Illinois, the son of Wilbur E. “Dick” Keenan and Mary M. Keenan (nee Keenan). He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Kaye Keenan; son, Sean P. Keenan and wife Antoinette; beloved granddaughter, Shannon M. Keenan and her fiance Kevin M. Durkin; and sister, Emma J. Mahoney of Danville. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary F. Robeck, also of Danville.
He graduated from Schlarman High School in Danville in 1953 and then joined the US Marine Corps. He was a Korean Conflict veteran. Following military service, he attended the Catholic University of America, the University of Maryland, and Danville Junior College. Following his marriage to Kaye Shelby on July 31, 1960, they moved to Palo Alto, California, where he was employed by the Veterans Administration Hospital. He received his Associate in Arts degree from Foothill J.C. in 1963 and a Bachelor of Science degree from San Jose State College in 1965. He accepted a graduate teaching appointment at the University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana, where he completed his M.S. (1968) and Ph.D. (1971) degrees.
While an undergraduate student at San Jose State, he was employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a test subject during experimental phases of NASA’s Mercury and Gemini projects. The studies were completed at the Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Sunnyvale, California. The results were published in the Journal of Aerospace Medicine.
As a graduate student and instructor at the U of Illinois, he was the reigning singles and doubles badminton champion. He competed in American Badminton Association tournaments in Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Illinois. He won in his division at a tournament in Joliet, Illinois, in 1971. Also, during this time, Francis served as golf professional at Lincolnshire Fields Country Club in Champaign from 1967 to 1973.
Doctor Keenan joined the faculty of SUNY Brockport in 1971. He was the head of the Sport Science program and varsity soccer coach and a coach of the varsity golf team. The soccer team won the Division III National Championship in 1974. His golf team won its state championship in 1979. He was a noted golf instructor and often gave free advice to golfers at a local driving range in Brockport. Two of his trainees won state championships. Others became club champions. Eight of his former varsity players became club professionals.
In 1975, he joined the college administration as an assistant vice-president for Academic Affairs and had responsibilities in personnel and budget. He returned to his tenured position in 1991 and taught the required writing course during his final six years of employment there. He was one of the founders of the Philosophic Society for the Study of Sport, which later became the International Association for the Philosophy of Sport. He served in every office and was President in 1976-77. He published numerous essays in scholarly books and journals and was a speaker at professional meetings. He retired in 1997 after 27 years of service to the college.
“Doc,” as he was known, was an avid trainer of retriever dogs. He competed widely with them in AKC field trials which took him to nearly every state. His young derby dog, “Spice,” won five consecutive derbies in 1988. In 1992, his dog “Gunner,” qualified for the National Amateur Championship. His dogs won many ribbons and awards. Francis was a retriever field trial judge for the AKC and judged over 50 major events. He was a past member of the Western New York Retriever Club, the Finger Lakes Retriever Club, the Central New York Retriever Club, a founding member of the Cape Fear Retriever Club, and the Empire Club, and an honorary life member of the Bluegrass Retriever Club. After retiring from the college, he spent winters in Alabama training his retrievers. He had published 24 essays about dog training and judging in the Retriever News Journal. Dog training ended after 46 years when he retired to his home in Clarkson, New York.
From a young age, he had been fond of hunting and fishing and was a life member of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Francis was a member of the Brockport Conservation Club for nearly fifty years. He was an active deer, pheasant, and turkey hunter and held a lifetime hunting license in New York.
Genealogy and family history research often took him to the Keenan ancestral home in Breckinridge County, Kentucky. Much of his youth was spent upon his maternal grandparents’ tobacco farm there. Prof. Keenan was a life member of the Breckinridge Country Historical Society. He published, along with cousin Perry Ryan, a full account of his Keenan family history, which traced to 1766 in County Monaghan, Ireland. He also published a book on his wife’s Shelby family history. He discovered that she was a descendant of a Revolutionary War soldier.
Services are planned. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Brockport, New York.
HAMLIN: Baase, Randall L. “Randy,” passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, 2026, at the age of 76. Predeceased by his parents, Frederick and Evelyn Baase; brother, Daniel Baase; and daughter, Gretchen Savary.
He is survived by his sons, Zachary Baase and Erich Baase (Megan); grandson, Jacob Savary; brother, Richard (Karole) Baase; and nephew, Brian (Jessica) Baase. Randy was an avid trapper and outdoorsman.
Family services will be held privately.

HAMLIN: McFarlane, Robert S. “Bobby,” 61, of Hamlin, NY, suddenly on April 6, 2026.
Survived by his daughter, Dr. Lindsay K. Hahn and her husband, Dr. Zachary J. Hahn of Maine, and their 4 children, Samuel, Elaina, Jacob, and Theo. Also survived by his mother, Carol K. McFarlane of Hamlin; his siblings, Jeanne Brightly, Douglas (Catherine) McFarlane, and Stuart (Laura) McFarlane, as well as a niece and 5 nephews.
Pre-deceased by his daughter, Leah Kathryn McFarlane (2002), and his father, Arthur M. McFarlane (2021).
Celebration Picnic on July 11, 2026, at 1769 Redman Road, Hamlin.
Donations gratefully accepted for Batten’s Disease Research: University of Rochester Batten Center, 300 East River Road, Rochester, NY 14627.
NORTH GREECE/HILTON: Andre, Joseph. It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved brother and uncle, Joseph Andre. Joe passed on February 26th, 2026, while traveling and engaging in one of his favorite activities, spending time on the water and snorkeling. He shared this final trip with someone very special, Lisa Chauvin, a woman who brought love, laughter, and a shared sense of adventure into his life in the last year.
Joe was born on April 3, 1952, in Rochester, NY, to Frederick and Mary Andre. His entire life was characterized by his unwavering dedication to those he loved, his strong work ethic, his lifelong desire for travel and adventure, his very witty sense of humor, and his affinity for anything with an engine.
Joe grew up in North Greece, NY, went to Hilton High School, and attended college at Monroe Community College and Brockport State in the Rochester area. He began his career as an electrical apprentice before heading to Oregon. He then moved west to complete his Bachelor’s in Business Administration at the University of Oregon. He became a die-hard Ducks fan, accumulating a lot of memorabilia over the years. While he was often disappointed, he remained loyal to his team. Go Ducks! Joe fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and, after college, moved to Bothell, Washington.

Joe had a very successful career as a Master Electrician working for NEMA, the Steel Tube Industry, and IAEI, of which he was newly elected President. In recent years, he served as a mentor for many young professionals in his field and conducted numerous classes and trainings, imparting his knowledge, experience, and wisdom on the younger generation.
In 1991, Joe married Mary Pat Dennis, the love of his life and his soulmate. Joe and Mary Pat created a beautiful life together in Washington. They enjoyed boating on Puget Sound and traveling all over the world together. When Mary Pat became ill, Joe lovingly took care of her throughout her journey.
Joe is predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary Pat Dennis-Andre; his parents, Frederick and Mary Andre; his brother, William Andre; his brother, Freddy Andre; and his brother-in-law, Robert Amis. He is also predeceased by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Joe is survived by his siblings, Richard Andre (Pamela), Laurie Andre-Amis (Thomas Martin), and James Andre (Gina). He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Shannon Andre (Jared Welton), Sarah Titus (Mike), Peter Amis, Alana Amis (Ian Taylor), Michael Andre (Brigid), Jessica Andre (Shawn Thompson), Miranda Andre, several great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.
A celebration of life will take place at the Hilton Fireman’s Exempt, Hilton, NY, on June 20th from 2-5 PM.
Memorials may be directed to the Susan B Komen (Breast Cancer Foundation) or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.























