Obituary of Dr. Francis R. Dunning

HERKIMER - DR. FRANCIS R. DUNNING (Bud), age 87, went to his eternal rest, on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at St. Peter’s Hospital, in Albany, with his loving wife and family by his side. He was born on January 30, 1934, in Herkimer, NY, to James and Margaret (Doyle) Dunning, the youngest of seven children. Bud was an excellent student excelling in math and science. He graduated salutatorian of his class at the age of 17 from Mohawk High School Class of 1951. He went on to study mathematics and science earning a Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate from SUNY Albany and an additional Master’s of Science from Syracuse University. Bud had a love of learning which was the focus of his life. He taught math and science at Madison Central, Frankfort and Herkimer Central School before starting his career at Mohawk Valley Community College where he was Professor in the Physical Science Department and Dean of Division of Technology and Business. He taught from 1963 to 1995. He pioneered use of industry advisory committees. He led creation of several programs in Chemical Technology, Photonics and Solar Energy Technology. He won several prestigious National Science Foundation grants. He received SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service, in 1990. He was a scientist and innovative educator. Professor Emeritus Dunning was inducted into the Mohawk Valley Community College Hall of Fame, in October 2003. Bud married his high school sweetheart Angela Cushman in 1955 and together they had 3 children. Angie and Bud spent 66 wonderful years together enjoying much traveling and cruising to many countries in Europe and Caribbean islands as well as extensive travel throughout the U.S. Bud’s studies also took him and his family to Oak Ridge,Tennessee, Arlington, Texas and Fullerton, California. Bud was a hard worker and also built houses during his summers off from teaching learning much from his father who worked in construction. Bud build three homes for his family over the years and especially enjoyed starting new projects on the homes. Bud was a wonderful family man, always putting his family first. He was a member of St. Francis de Sales Church in Herkimer. In addition to faithfully attending weekly Mass he was also a Eucharistic Minister. Bud is predeceased by his parents; three sisters, Helen Wilson, Mary Burke and Patricia Doxtader; two brothers, James (Bob) Dunning and Charles (Bill) Dunning; sister-in-law, Rose Biasini; and brother-in-law, Glenn Lawrence. Bud is survived by his wife, Angela; children, Susan (Dominick) DiFiore, of Wynantskill, NY, Steven Dunning (Jeff Linebeck), of Manchester, VT and Mary Beth (Robert) Fitzgerald, of Midlothian, VA; five grandchildren, Daniel (Kathryn) DiFiore, Robert (Jessica) DiFiore, Mark (Danielle) DiFiore, Liam (Danielle) Fitzgerald and Lily Fitzgerald; seven great-grandchildren, Jackson, Alexander, Norah, Tessa, Calvin, Samuel and Dante DiFiore. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret Hall; brother-in-law, Stanley Biasini; his six sisters-in-law, Evelyn Dunning, Patricia Lawrence, Marion (Bernard) White, Kathleen (Thomas) Marchese, Anne (Fred) Schell and JoAnne (Al) Burrill; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Bud also leaves many friends, including dance friends from the 100 Club, Patricians and Senior Swing, at the Turning Stone. The Dunning family wishes to thank Bud’s caregivers at the Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Home in Troy for the wonderful care he received during his illness. Calling hours will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Monday, July 19, 2021, at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd. (Town of Frankfort), Ilion, NY. Funeral services will be held at noon, on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd. (Town of Frankfort), Ilion, NY, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Francis de Sales Church, 219 N. Bellinger St., Herkimer, NY. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, in Herkimer. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis de Sales Church, 219 N. Bellinger St., Herkimer, NY 13350, or Mohawk Valley Community College, Dr. Francis R. Dunning Scholarship Fund, 1101 Sherman Dr., Utica, NY 13501. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. All funeral arrangements for Bud have been entrusted to the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, Ilion and were prearranged with Funeral Directors Harry J. Enea, Jr., Kevin E. Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia (315) 894-8000. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.