Born: November 12, 1917
Died: July 19, 1998
Married: Eleanor M. Rice
Children: Karen J. Stearns, Madge R. Carpenter, Jill D. Woodruff, Scott F. Stearns, Walter Alan Stearns
Francis L. Stearns, known as "Red," was director of the Saranac Lake Boy Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. He was named king of the Winter Carnival in 1980. He lived at 65 Algonquin Avenue. He was a World War II veteran. Records of St. Bernard's Cemetery list him as "Pvt US Marine Corps WWII (veteran)."
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, July 20, 1998
Francis L. 'Red' Stearns
SARANAC LAKE - Francis L. "Red" Stearns, 80, of Saranac Lake, died Sunday, July 19, 1998 at his home.
Born Nov. 12, 1917 in Swanton, Vt. he was the son of Leon R. and Dorothy H. (Rice) Stearns.
A resident of Saranac Lake since 1922, he was a graduate of Saranac Lake High School in 1941 and was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army. He married the former Eleanor M. Rice, on July 13, 1941. He was employed as a meat cutter for Swift and Company in Saranac Lake for 29 years, retiring in 1974. He was involved in scouting in various capacities and had been scoutmaster of Troop 14. He organized and directed the American Legion and boy scout drum corps and the Pioneer Youth Drum Corps from 1934 - 1960. He was an Adirondack guide in the 1950s, a member of the American Legion, the Pittsburgh Stamp Club, the Olympic Philatelic Council and ran in the 1947 and 1948 Boston Marathons.
While in the Army he was regimental welter weight boxing champ. He was an avid reader and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also restored five Model A Fords from 1954 -1976. He was king of the 1980 Winter Carnival and also received recognition for his many civic endeavors.
Survivors include: his wife; three daughters, Karen J. Stearns, Madge R. Carpenter and Jill D. Woodruff, all of Saranac Lake; two sons, Scott F. Stearns of Ontario and Walter Alan Stearns of Rochester; two brothers, Rod of Saranac Lake and Waller of Pittsburgh; three sisters, Eileen Harding of Janesway, N.J., Beverly Townley of Holiday, Fla., and Janice Gauthier of Saranac Lake; 17 grandchildren, 21 greatgrandchildren and seven step great grandchildren.
There will be no calling hours and graveside services will he held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Bernard's Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Red Cross, Salvation Army or High Peaks Hospice, in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, February 21, 1957
Dear Sir:
It is always a pleasure to pass on nice remarks about the Winter Carnival from out-of-towners. Red Stearns and his Drum and Bugle Corps drew warm praise from three Air Force officers who happened to be standing with us on the Hotel Saranac balcony watching the parade.
They were high in their praise of the drill master and the snap and precision with which the maneuvers were executed.
Further inquiry revealed that the Corps is without financial backing and that Red Stearns donates his services. It is a heartwarming (and unusual thing today) to see a group of boys pioneering against odds and refusing to be discouraged.
As one of the Air Force officers put it, "Those boys are there because they want to be there!"
Mercedes L. Herold Marjorie M. Smith Saranac Lake
Comments
2011-11-08 02:43:24 this man was my mentor friend teacher dicipliner and most of all my great grandpaw who i dubbed poppie and everyone called him that i love and miss you dearly i hope some day i make you proud of me i love u poppie! —174.108.115.15
