Franklin Owen Whitfield

Franklin “Owen” Whitfield, 60, passed away Sunday August 2nd 2026 at Albany Medical Hospital.

Born December 10, 1965, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Harold Whitfield and living Mother, Muriel Whitfield.

Owen grew up in North Carolina. Owen and his family moved to upstate New York and began his career as school bus driver for Guilderland School District. Owen retired in May of this year. In his spare time, Owen loved to watch birds outside and do wood carvings. He also loved metal detecting and music. Owen loved his dog, Mr. Duke who passed away in April this year. Owen was a devoted Christian and attended various churches.

He is survived by his mother Muriel Whitfield of Mount Olive NC; son Dylan Whitfield and his wife Kathleen Whitfield of Charlottesville VA; Daughters, Alicia Whitfield of Pikeville NC, Ashley Lee and Rose Sheets of Portland ME. 4 Grandsons, Kaleb Whitfield, James Noisseau, and Daniel Noisseau of Pikeville NC and Christian Whitfield of Charlottesville VA. He is also survived by his siblings, Peggy Dean Hines and husband, James, of Mount Olive NC, Harold Gregory "Greg" Whitfield and wife, of the Philippines, Gary Woodard Whitfield and wife, Betty, of Beulaville, and Joyce W. Barnes and husband, Tim, of Mount Airy NC; many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father Harold Whitfield, and brother William Whitfield. 

Services will be held both in New York and North Carolina. Services in New York will be held on Wednesday August 12, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a memorial service to immediately follow, at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd, Colonie. The services in North Carolina will be on Wednesday August 19, 2026 at Friendship United Methodist Church located at 366 Friendship Church Rd. Warsaw NC 28398 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.