DOVER PLAINS — Brian William Franks, 60, of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., was called Home by the Lord suddenly and unexpectedly on Jan. 26, 2021, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.
Brian was born on June 7, 1960, in Sharon, the son of Barbara A. (Draper) and William “Bill” G. Franks of Dover Plains.
He married Evelyn R. Arnfield on May 25, 1985, at the Community United Methodist Church in Poughkeepsie. They shared 35-and-a-half years of marriage together, always proclaiming to Evelyn, “It was love at first sight.”
Brian was educated in local elementary and parochial schools. He graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie in June 1978. He then went to Paul Smith’s College, Paul Smiths, N.Y., and he received his AAS degree for Forest Technician and Surveying in June 1980.
Brian began his career in land surveying in the office of Harry J. Bly, LS in Millbrook. By February 1989, Brian received the professional title of Land Surveyor and opened his own in-home business in the early 1990s.
His career spanned more than 30 years providing for all aspects of the land surveying business in meticulous detail for clients throughout Dutchess County.
Brian deeply loved his two sons and he was passionate about family gatherings as well as vacationing with both family and friends. Brian possessed a great sense of humor and the telling of a good story that was always shared in laughter, especially when reminiscing about his childhood adventures. He especially enjoyed favorite destination spots with his family that included the Eastern Sea Coast; Lancaster, Pa. (Sight and Sound Theatre); Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and Rudd Pond State Park in Millerton. A “once in a lifetime” trip received as a gift was taken to Maui, Hawaii, in 2018.
Brian loved animals, especially his Irish setter dogs. Over the years, six Irish setters were in the Franks’ household. In the early years, Brian was an accomplished dog trainer traveling with his first Irish Setter, Meghan, CD, CDX, to many different locations throughout the Northeast participating in obedience trial competitions. One of his proudest accomplishments was when Meghan received the Award of Canine Distinction (Dog World Magazine) earning three consecutive high scores of 195 or higher as she obtained her CD. At that time, he was also involved in Irish Setter Rescue, he was a member of the Mid-Hudson Kennel Club, and he was a dedicated volunteer at the Dutchess County SPCA, Hyde Park, N.Y.
Brian enjoyed a variety of sports, but football was his favorite sporting event, especially as family gathered together either by watching games on television or attending stadium games. Favorite teams included Penn State Football (college) and the Minnesota Vikings (professional). He also enjoyed playing golf. He had several opportunities to marshal at professional golf tournaments with his brother-in-law, Dave, including an opportunity to attend the Master’s Tournament in Augusta, Ga., in 2015.
Brian enjoyed other activities that included hiking (early years), cooking and barbecuing, listening to music (huge fan of John Denver; Christian music), reading novels, and enthusiastically watching John Wayne movies over and over again. One of his most treasured activities was deer hunting every fall with his dad, Bill, something that he had done since he was a young boy.
Brian loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He cherished daily devotional and Bible study time with his wife, Evelyn. One of Brian’s special gifts was his ability to lead in prayer, beautifully spoken, offering comfort and solace to family, friends and strangers alike.
Throughout his childhood, Brian attended St. James Episcopal Church in Dover Plains, serving as an acolyte for many years. He was a former Sunday School Teacher, Pleasant Valley Food Pantry Co-Director, Ecumenical Minister (early years), Deacon (mid-years) and Stephen Minister (recent years).
Brian currently attended Calvary Chapel of the Hudson Valley in Poughkeepsie and formerly the First Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Valley and formerly the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church.
Brian will be remembered for his generosity of spirit and his caring for others, particularly the elderly, that exemplified his faith. Brian is survived by his wife, Evelyn (Arnfield) Franks; a son, Andrew (Nicholas) Franks and a son, Ethan (Thomas) Franks; his parents, Wiliam G. and Barbara A. Franks; his sister, Nancy A. Franks; his sister, Mary Beth Franks-Begor and her husband, Scott; his brother-in-law, Alan E. Arnfield Jr. and his wife, Jenny; his brother-in-law, David P. Arnfield and his partner, Julia M. Checchia; many nieces and nephews as well as grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He will be missed by all including a large extended family as well as many friends. Brian was predeceased by a sister, Mary Jean Franks. Arrangements were handled by the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home in Poughkeepsie. A Celebration of a Life Service was held April 10 at Calvary Chapel of the Hudson Valley.
Memorial donations may be made to Calvary Chapel of the Hudson Valley, Care Net Pregnancy Center of the Hudson Valley, or the Dutchess County SPCA. To leave an online condolence, go to www.doylefuneralhome.com.
