Obituary of Allen F. Sweet

Allen (Al) F. Sweet passed away on May 12, 2022 at Ira Davenport Hospital at the age of 89. Al was born on January 10, 1933. He is survived by his 4 children, Gregg (& wife Cathy), Lynne (& husband Bruce), Matthew, and Jennifer; and 2 grandchildren -- Ned (of Lynne & Bruce) and Joseph (of Jennifer), and his sister, Dorothy Maxfield. Virginia (Ginny), his wife of 47 years departed long before him, in 2004. Al and Ginny lived and raised their family in Odessa and Montour Falls from 1969. Born in Newfane, NY, he served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He earned his bachelor's degree in music education from SUNY Fredonia and taught music at Elizabethtown Central School until 1969 when he earned his master's degree in college placement from SUNY Plattsburgh and became a guidance counselor at Odessa Montour Central School, serving in this capacity until 1989. Al served as president of the Watkins-Montour Rotary in 1988 and was later honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. Known for restoring several of his residences and for his frame shop at the house on the hill, Al had many interests and hobbies over the years, having been born in the farming community of Newfane, NY during the depression. From his expansive vegetable and flower gardens to antique restoration, stamp and historic papers collection, Saturday morning bread baking, and spending time with our mom to his interests in local history, he also collected and researched antique glass, and authored a book on Havana Pottery. He will ever be remembered as a citizen, scholar, friend and father. A memorial gathering has been arranged by the family on Friday, July 8, 2022 from 5-7 pm at Vedder-Scott & Zinger Funeral Home, 122 N. Genesee St., Montour Falls, NY.