Frank M. Mitchell Jr.

Frank Milton "Mitch" Mitchell Jr. (1939-2024) 

Frank Milton "Mitch" Mitchell Jr., 84, of Genoa, NY, died in his home on June 23, 2024. He was born September 28, 1939, in Harrisburg, PA to Frank M Mitchell Sr. and Alice McNaughton Mitchell. Father was a newspaper editor of Welsh ancestry. 

Frank grew up in a rural setting in Perry County, PA, where he was a hunter from the age of nine and shot a deer every year he was in high school. Got his first pistol permit at age 16 and his first Model A Ford at age 11. Played saxophone in the state championship H.S. band for three years. Worked four summers during college in the State Education Dept. in Harrisburg. Married Loretta Jane Myers, RN, on January 15, 1960. Graduated from Bloomsburg State College in 1961 where he was a Pi Omega Pi honorary member. 

Frank took his first teaching job in Genoa, NY in September 1961 and began teaching shorthand and typing at Auburn Community College that same month. Was president of Genoa Teachers’ Association and treasurer of S.C.C.S. Teachers’ Assn., Audio-Visual director at Genoa, acting chair of business department during recentralization, and president of Cayuga County Business Teachers’ Association for several years. Did graduate study at Cortland State, Syracuse Univ., Utah State Univ., and Univ. of South Florida. Taught from 1967 to 1982, at Cortland Madison BOCES and several years part time at TC-3. Taught at Spencer- Van Etten High School from 1982 to 1994 where he was also the director of the student store. 

Frank was vice president and truck captain of Genoa Fire Dept. in the 70’s. Participated in many tractor pulls and won trophies with a Datsun pick-up truck in closed-course speed events. Operated equipment for many local agricultural businesses and loved to play with his own front-end loaders. 

Frank was proud to have owned the first Mustang in Cayuga County and to have driven a 650 hp sprint car on a Pennsylvania dirt track as a retirement gift. Spent six months of each year from 1999 to 2008 in his winter home in Vero Beach, FL, where he was the founder and president of the New York Apple Knockers, a senior citizen social club. He loved being a tour guide through the snow-covered peaks of the Rockies during many trips to western national parks with family and grandkids. Everyone that knew Frank, knew how much he loved telling jokes; he could always make you laugh. He enjoyed the companionship of Esther Bolton in his final years. Last (and certainly not least), he loved his many faithful dogs.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife Loretta (Myers) Mitchell. He is survived by sons Frank Mitchell III (Sherryl) and Troy Mitchell (Anne Marshall); daughters Roxanne Newman (Steve) and Shannon Harding; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Following Frank's wishes, there will be no services held. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an animal rescue organization. 

Arrangements are with White Chapel Funeral Home Inc., Auburn. To offer condolences, please visit whitechapelfh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frank M. Mitchell Jr., please visit our floral store.