Obituary of Millard E Latimer

Obituary The Life of Millard Earl Latimer Jr. Millard Earl Latimer Jr. was the third child (only son) born to Millard Earl Latimer and Lydia Mae (Butler) Latimer in Rochester, NY, on October 26, 1929. His parents were founders of the Latimer Funeral Home which began servicing the Rochester Community in 1922. Millard and his sisters attended Nathanial Rochester Elementary School #3 and Madison High School. Millard graduated in 1947. "Sonny", as he was nicknamed earlier in life, began taking music lessons on the clarinet when he was in the 7th grade and later took up the alto saxophone. Millard played both instruments in Madison High School band and orchestra. He continued his musical experiences throughout his life by playing in jazz bands and combos. As a young man, he started his own combo group and performed around the Rochester area. He also played for the Penfield Rotary Band for many years, playing alto and baritone sax. Millard's Christian life began at an early age when he was christened by Rev. Henderson of Memorial AME Zion Church (his mother's church). He later began attending Mt. Olivet Baptist Church (his father's church). He was baptized by Dr. Charles E. Boddie in 1943 when Dr. Boddie became the pastor of Mt. Olivet after the death of Rev. James E. Rose. He was a member of Mt. Olivet under five pastors and served on the Senior Usher Board and the Trustee Board. After finishing high school, Millard continued his education by attending Howard University in Washington, D.C. After a year at Howard, he transferred to Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, IL, graduating in 1949. He began his apprenticeship in his father's business but his training was interrupted when the United States became involved in the Korean conflict. He volunteered to enlist into the United States Air Force in July of 1950. Millard's military career began with basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. followed by Radio School training at Keesler AFB, Mississippi. Combat Crew training took place at Randolph AFB, San Antonio, TX. He later was assigned to a B-29 bomber crew at Mountain Home, Idaho that later transferred to Clark AFB in the Philippine Islands. His squadron was transferred to Yokata Air Force Base in Japan where they flew combat missions over Korea. Millard was honorably discharged on July 12, 1954. Upon his return to civilian life, Millard completed his funeral director's apprenticeship training, passed the State Board Examination, and became a New York State Licensed Funeral Director in 1955 and joined his father in the funeral business. The year of 1955 was an important and eventful year for Millard. He was joined in Holy Matrimony with Dorothy Mae Glover. This marriage was blessed with two children, Denise Elizabeth in 1959, and Steven Earl in 1962.The family was deeply saddened when Dorothy Latimer died suddenly in 1971 at the age of 39. In 1955 Millard began working for the US Postal Service as a postal clerk. He left the post office in 1963 taking his retirement funds and buying into the Funeral Home. The business name was then changed to Millard E. Latimer and Son Funeral Directors, Inc. As the manager, Millard Jr. took steps to prepare the business for the future. He expanded the current location to include rooms to provide private viewings and a chapel for funeral services. Millard E. Latimer and Son Inc. now provided a complete range of funeral, burial, printing, engraving and traditional services. Millard was a stickler for punctuality and things being done in a professional manner. Over the years, he trained most of the local African-American funeral directors, many of whom have moved away and started their own funeral homes. Millard was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, New York State Funeral Directors Association, The National Funeral Directors & Mortuary Association, Rochester Genesee Valley Funeral Directors Association, Inc., Empire State Funeral Directors Association, Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, Inc, and a member of ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out). Following in his Father's footsteps Millard became a Mason, joining Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons (Eureka Lodge #36). He also became a member of the VFW (Pennington Moye Post #91). In 1973 Millard married Maggie L. "Monique" Devlin of Philadelphia, PA who had two daughters, Monique LaVare and Lisa Marie. In 1974 this blended family was blessed with the arrival of a daughter and sibling, Millena Earlene. Monique immediately began working side by side with Millard and later became a licensed funeral director receiving training from her husband. They worked successfully offering honest, reliable, efficient funeral service with respect and dignity to the Rochester community. Millard, although retired, continued his presence at the funeral home daily until his untimely illness. Millard was a world traveler, having been on many cruises, including several jazz cruises. One cruise, a highlight of his life in 2008, was a family cruise to the Caribbean Islands with his wife and all of his children. He had always wanted to go to Europe. He fulfilled this dream in October of 2010, taking a 14 day Mediterranean Cruise, visiting Toulon, France; Florence, Rome, Naples, Venice, Italy; Corfu, Greece, and Dubrovnik, Croatia. He was accompanied by two of his daughters. Millard was an amazing cook, specializing in gumbo, New England clam chowder and last but definitely not least, BBQ ribs. He could be found participating in the Urban League Men's Cook Off. His other hobbies were boating, fishing, golf and bowling. He sponsored many bowling leagues. Sonny, an avid sports enthusiast, was known to keep a portable TV with him regardless of where he was or what affair he may have been attending. Other sports enthusiasts knew who to find to get the current score of whatever game was being aired. Millard was lovingly cared for by his family at home until March 23rd when he was transferred to Benincasa Hospice House in Mendon, NY due to the progression of his illness. On Friday, March 25, 2011 Millard Earl "Sonny" Latimer, Jr. was called home to rest. Predeceased by his parents, Millard E. Latimer Sr. and Lydia M. Latimer, and first wife, Dorothy M. Latimer, he leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted wife of 37 years, Maggie L. "Monique" Latimer; five children, Denise E. Latimer-Wright, Monique L. Shorey, Steven E. Latimer, Lisa M. Latimer and Millena E. Latimer; two sons-in-law, Shane Wright and Dean Shorey; three grandchildren, Danielle M. Jones, Jarred C. Jones and Gary R. Jones; two sisters, Frances Montgomery and Betty Coles; mother-in-law, Rev. Mary Devlin; many nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, other relatives, church family and friends. Millard Earl " Sonny" Latimer Jr. will be sorely missed