OXFORD – Francis Cyrus Gydesen, born June 11, 1920 entered into eternal rest in his sleep June 19, 2006 at Chenango Memorial Hospital, Norwich. 
Born the sixth of thirteen children to Gyde and Eva (Webster) Gydesen, he grew up in Shuetown and followed his father into the lumber industry in 1934 at age 14.  He rode log runs where he earned the nickname, “Squirrel” for his ability to jump from log to log.  He saw the industry modernize from horses to modern machinery.
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, he along with nine other men from the area were the first to volunteer to enter the U.S. Army where he served as a Cavalry Horseman, and then a tank and supply driver for Patton’s 3rd Army.  He served in combat during the D-Day invasion of France and the Battle of the Bulge.  He was awarded two Silver Stars and 3 Bronze Stars for his service to our country.
 Upon returning home, Fran, as he was called, returned to the lumber industry, then to the Gould Paper Company until 1961. He then moved his family to Arizona, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator building the Trans-Mountain Highway.  In 1968 they returned to Lyons Falls, where he was employed as a silversmith for Oneida Limited until he retired in 1983.
Francis is survived by Lois Louise Hubbard Gydesen of Lowville, whom he married in 1942.  Their union produced nine children who survive, they are: Frances C. Yost of Lyons Falls, Lorraine C. Bennett of Federal Way, Wash., Thomas E. Gydesen of Mesa, Ariz., Gordon M. Gydesen of Lowville, Teresa A. Hoffman of Port Leyden, Deborah N. Stiff of Marysville, Wash., Jeanette M. Raymond of Lowville, James G.N. Gydesen of Boonville, and Nelson C. Gydesen of Carthage.  He is also survived by 27 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild and his oldest brother, Peter Gydesen of Greig and his companion of 22 years, Ellie West.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford, with the Rev. Philip Thorick, pastor the Oxford United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial with full military honors by members of Fort Hill Post, American Legion will follow in the NYS Veterans’ Home Cemetery.
 Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home, Oxford on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.