Obituary of Frederick W. Hodge

HODGE, FREDERICK W. (TED) of Horseheads, August 21, 2014. Survived by his Daughters and Sons-in-Law Mimi and Jan Updegraff of Elmira and Maryann and Phillip Long of Brisbane, Australia; Granddaughters Karen (Vince) Stalker of Corning; Jill (David) Balderson of Basking Ridge, NJ; and Johanna (Wesley) Craig of Charlottesville, VA; Step Grandson Brian Long of Honolulu, HI; Great Grandchildren Haley, Samantha, and Luke Balderson of Basking Ridge, NJ and Zara and Amity Craig of Charlottesville, VA; and Niece Peggy (Don) Thomas of East Haven, CT. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy (Prescott) Hodge, on January 10, 2004 and very good friend, Anne H. Welles, in 2010. Ted was a 32nd Degree Mason, member of Elmira Lodge #95 and Williamsport Scottish Rite Consistory. He was a holder of the Dedicated Service Award from the Grand Lodge of New York. During his years in the Elmira area, he was active in many organizations. He was a member and former Lay Leader of the First United Methodist Church of Horseheads and Past President of Horseheads Rotary and Elmira Kiwanis. He was a member of the Elmira City Club. Outside the area he was Past President of the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association. Ted's entire professional career was spent in broadcasting, from 1937 when he was a high school senior in his Vermont hometown until December, 2000 when he retired as a news reporter on WENY, Elmira. He held on-air and management positions at radio stations and sports and regional networks in Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania. As Vice-President and General Manager of the network division of Ivy Broadcasting Company, he founded the New York Football Giants Radio Network in 1963 and the New York Mets Baseball Network in 1968. He served as anchor and color announcer on various football networks, including Syracuse, Army, Bucknell, the Giants, and the New York Jets following the Jets' Super Bowl Championship in 1969. He was elected to the Elmira Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. It was Ted's request that there be no calling hours. A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Bethany Village. The family extends heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Dayakar Reddy and Barbara Walton, RN and to everyone at Bethany Village who contributed so much to Ted's later years. Arrangements are entrusted to the LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 318 WEST BROAD STREET HORSEHEADS , NY.