OXFORD – Clarence “Sonny” Slater, 71, of Oxford, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, surrounded by his family.
Sonny was born in Norwich on March 29, 1941, the son of Clarence Slater and Bernice Angle Slater Franklin. He attended school in Plymouth and Norwich. In November of 1960, in Oxford, he married Laura Wakefield. Sonny worked at Oxford Feed & Fuel for seven years before starting work at NYSDOT in August of 1965, until his retirement in July, 1999.
Sonny was a devoted family man who loved spending his time and vacations with family, whether camping, snowmobiling, traveling to many restaurants such as a pancake breakfast in Vermont, or wherever there was a chicken barbecue – nowhere was too far! Sonny loved his country music and enjoyed the company of his family and many friends. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, always taking them somewhere to share activities he thought they would enjoy. He was always there to help out anyone and had a very caring, loving, generous heart.
Sonny is survived by Laura, his loving and devoted wife of 51 years; two daughters and a son-in-law: Julie and Kevin Swift of South New Berlin and Sherry Angle of Norwich; and his grandchildren: Christopher Swift and fiancee Elizabeth Ulfik, Zachary and Matthew Swift, Cody Angle and fiancee Samantha Monday, and Amanda Angle. Also surviving are his brothers and their wives: Robert Franklin and Helen, Richard Franklin and Barbara, Lawrence Slater and Linda, James Slater, Wilson Franklin and Christina, Steve Slater and Laura; his sisters: Josephine Slater, Mildred Manwarren and fiance Norman Bush, Elaine Manwarren and Ivon “Joe,” Marjorie Knapp and Jerry; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law: Raymond Wakefield and Pat, Dorothy “Sue” Young, Retha Wakefield Beckwith and Morris; and by many caring nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Sonny was predeceased by his mother and stepfather, Bernice and Johnson Franklin; his father, Clarence Slater; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Laurence and Carleda Wakefield; brothers-in-law: Elmer Manwarren, Ed Slate, James Wakefield, Richard Wakefield, and Richard Young; and sister-in-law, Rachel Wakefield.
Friends and family may call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. from the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home.
Pastor David Deleon of the Open Door Baptist Church will officiate. A graveside service will follow at the Riverview Cemetery in Oxford where Brian DeRochie, Sonny’s nephew, will give the closing eulogy.
The family requests any donations be made to the ALS Association, Development Dept., 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301, to fight Lou Gehrig’s Disease.