Mr. James F. "Fred" Bower, age 90, formerly of Prindle Apts., Ilion, passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon, November 2, 2002, surrounded by his beloved family at the home of his son, James W. Bower. Mr. Bower was born on July 3, 1912, in Ilion, the son of the late Frederick H. and Grace (Doyle) Bower. Fred had resided in Ilion for the greater part of his life but at one time lived in Herkimer. He was united in marriage to Leah Brunette who passed away in 1978. He was united in marriage to Esther Speer who passed away in 1992. In his professional life, Mr. Bower was a salesman for Carparelli Brothers and was currently involved with the operation of PHI Associates in Ilion with his son, Jim. Fred was an outgoing and friendly man whose wonderful personality made him a superb friend and companion. As a good and exemplary father and grandfather he took his responsibilities very seriously. His loved ones will always cherish the remembrance, the example and the inspiration of his wonderful life. He was of the Catholic faith and his faith was very important to him. Fred devoted a great deal of time to his camp in Forestport and spent every weekend enjoying its surroundings and also loved to fish. The camp has been in the Bower family since 1906. Mr. Bower was a life member of the Ilion Elks Lodge for 54 years. His legacy will be forever remembered and carried on by his son, James W. Bower and wife, Diana, of Ilion; a daughter, Nancy L. Monohan and husband, Chris, of Ilion; seven cherished grandchildren, William and Melissa Bower, of Clinton, Jeffrey Bower, of Albany, Daniel and Dawn Noffer, of Little Falls, Michael and Christine Noffer, of Frankfort, Diane and Don Dicob, of Mohawk, Timothy Noffer and friend, Christy, of Ilion, and Sue Ball and husband, Delbert, of Herkimer. Also surviving are numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; a very special companion, Erna Anderson, of Mohawk; four stepchildren, Jean Anna and husband, Charles and family, of Herkimer, Kathryn Speer and hus band, Philo and family, of Washington, Marguerite Clark and family, of Canandaigua, and Janet Miko and family, of Salisbury Center; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. Mr. Bower also leaves a host of friends in the Ilion and Forestport areas. Calling hours will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Monday (today) at the Enea Family Funeral Home, Main St. between Ilion and Frankfort. Fred's funeral will commence at 10:30 on Tuesday morning, November 5, 2002, from the chapel of the funeral home where prayer will be offered and 11 a.m. from the Church of the Annunciation, West St., Ilion, where the Very Rev. Joseph Benintende, Pastor, will celebrate his Mass of Christian Burial. Procession will follow to St. Mary's Cemetery, Town of Herkimer, where Fred will be laid to rest. Kindly consider contributions in Fred's honor to Hospice Care, Inc. Envelopes are available at the funeral parlor. A sincerely grateful thank-you is extended to Fred's granddaughter, Diane Dicob, for her devotion and excellent care of her grandfather. Also a special thank you to Hospice for their endless display of compassion. The family will long remember and ever be grateful for everyone's acts of kindness. Members of the Ilion Elks Lodge are asked to gather in the Enea Family Funeral Home organization gathering room at 7 p.m. on Monday evening to conduct their service.