Louis M. Withiam

Louis M. Withiam of Ithaca passed away at Cayuga Medical Center surrounded by family on September 12, 2016, at the age of 83.
Lou lived his life with passion and commitment to his family, his country, and his community. He gave his love and support to so many, sharing his integrity, his strength, and countless hours of his time to improve the lives and well-being of others. His leadership and tireless effort have directly and indirectly touched the lives of thousands.
He was quick to make new friends, an avid New York Yankees fan, an enthusiastic teller of somewhat lengthy stories, an expert note taker on his endless supply of 3x5 index cards, and highly-organized with every paper neatly filed or placed in a 3-ring binder.
Lou was born in Auburn on February 6, 1933, a son of the late Alfred T. and Anna H. Withiam. He graduated from Moravia High School in 1950. He earned his B.S. in Education at SUNY Cortland in 1954 and his M.S. in Elementary Administration at SUNY Cortland in 1960.
Lou played basketball and baseball at Moravia High and Cortland State, and was never shy about stories about his baseball coach at Cortland, Carl "Chugger" Davis. He played baseball for several years in the Ithaca City Summer League in the 1950s and 1960s.
Family came first for Lou. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Frances Withiam; six children, Michael (Michelle Johnson) and Mark (Carolyn) Withiam, Matthew Withiam, Catherine Withiam Schuler, Jeff (Tierney Barden) Hirlemann, and Tammy Hirlemann; 13 grandchildren: Alyssa Hirlemann, Shelby Withiam, Taylor Withiam MIDN 1/C, Caitlin, Jennifer, and Aleks Schuler, Richard and Christine Carlison, Chloe, Matthew, and Lily Withiam-Leitch, and Cara and Maria Withiam; and seven great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Lou was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Bedworth Withiam, and his brother, Alfred T. Withiam, Jr.
He was actively involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren, providing a powerful role model through his work ethic, his commitment to others, and his devotion to excellence in everything he did. He was constant source of support, advice and perspective, coached his children in several sports, and was simply present to cheerlead for everyone in his family at every opportunity.
He was a devoted husband, partnering with Fran to seamlessly blend two families into one and to share a full and happy life for 32 years. He cared for his first wife, Martha, tirelessly through her extended illness prior to her death in 1977, showing his children compassion and commitment.
Lt. Col. Louis Withiam, USMCR (Ret) was commissioned an active duty officer in the United States Marine Corps 1955 after serving as a Private for four years in the Marine Corps Reserves while attending college. He served his country as a Marine for 30 years, retiring in 1981. While on active duty from 1955 to 1959 he served as Battery Commander of Mike Battery, 10th Marines, and F Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines. Lou served in the United States Marine Corps active reserves from 1959-1981. Among his assignments he served as Company Commander, B Company, 8th Tank Battalion, and as the S-3 Training and Operations Officer, 8th Tank Battalion, for training and combat operations. He is a member of the Elite Marine Mustang Association, whose membership numbers approximately 3,500.
He was an Elementary Teacher, Elementary Principal, and Administrator for the Ithaca City School System from 1959-71. He taught at West Hill and Northeast Elementary Schools, was Principal at West Hill, East Hill, and Danby Elementary Schools, and was Assistant Principal at DeWitt Junior High School.
Lou began a distinguished career in public safety in 1968 when he was named Police Commissioner for the City of Ithaca. Later that year he was named the City of Ithaca's Citizen of the Year for his dedication to the Ithaca Police Department. He served as Police Commissioner for two years, helping the Ithaca community navigate the often tense social and racial relationships that characterized our nation and the Ithaca community during the late 1960s.
He served many years as a volunteer firefighter with Tornado Hook and Ladder No. 3. He was Captain of "No. 3" in 1967-1968.
Lou became a Patrol Officer for the Ithaca College Safety and Security Division in 1970, and was promoted to Investigator in 1971. He became Director of Safety and Security at Ithaca College in 1972, and retired from that position in 1989. Under his leadership, Ithaca College patrol officers became fully-authorized sheriff's deputies. He also created the Student Auxiliary Safety Patrol, which integrated more than 35 students into the work of the Office of Safety and Security. The program helped foster a more cooperative relationship between the security division and the campus community and became a nationally-recognized model for college security organizations.
In 1989 Lou was appointed Deputy Fire Coordinator for Tompkins County and in 1990 was appointed Chair of the E911 Task Force Committee in Tompkins County which recommend the implementation of the E911 system for Tompkins County. In 1994 he was named Chair of the E911 Operations Committee for Tompkins County and led the design, implementation and public oversight of the E911 program. He was also a member of the committee which developed the Tompkins County Public Safety Building located near the airport.
Lou served as member of the Central New York Emergency Medical Services Council from 1974-1990, helping establish and develop emergency care programs and services that we take for granted today. He was chair of the Central New York Council and a member of the New York State Emergency Medical Services Council from 1980-1984.
He was initiated into the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in 1980. Lou was Grand Exalted Ruler of Ithaca Lodge #636 in 1999 and again in 2010, and was District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 2002. He served as District Major Projects Chair from 1997-2004, and served two terms as New York State Major Projects Chair. While state chair, he focused the Elks' effort on support for cerebal palsy, inspired by his granddaughter's success in meeting the challenges she faces to thrive with the condition. He was installed as a member of the New York State Elks Association Major Projects Corporation Board of Directors in March 2016.
Lou was deeply committed to the Elks support of the patients at the Bath Veterans Hospital, leading several local and district programs and served one term as New York State Veterans Service Chair.
Lou was an active community leader. In 2012 he received the President's Volunteer Service Award in recognition of his donation of more than 4,000 hours of his time to community service. He served as Director of the Ithaca City Youth Center from 1960-1966, and was a member of the Ithaca City Youth Advisory Board from 1973-1979. He coached all levels of youth baseball, softball, basketball and soccer for more than 20 years. He served as President of the Tompkins County Senior Citizens Council from 1991-1997.
The family will be present to receive friends from 2:00 to 5:00 pm on Friday, September 16 at Bangs Funeral Home, 209 West Green Street, Ithaca. A graveside service with Full Military Honors will be held at Scotchtown Cemetery, State Route 223, Erin, NY, at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 17. Ithaca Elks will perform the Elks Service at 4:45 Friday, September 16, at Bangs Funeral Home.
The family asks those who would like to make a contribution in Lou's memory to kindly consider the New York State Elks Major Projects Fund, c/o Ithaca BPOE #636, 124 Coddington Road, Ithaca, New York 14850
For additional information, please contact Bangs Funeral Home at 607-272-1922 or visit www.bangsfuneralhome.com.
Funeral Home at 607-272-1922 or visit
www.bangsfuneralhome.com.

Friday, September 16, 2016 2:00 PM - 5:15 PM

Bangs Funeral Home, Inc. 209 W Green St. Ithaca, New York 14850