Mr. Francis J. Kogut, 88, of Holland Patent, passed away on Thursday December 8, 2011 at his home. Francis was born on December 8, 1923 in Utica, New York, a son of John and Grace (Smallenberger) Kogut. If you asked him how old he was, he would always say 39. In Marcy, NY on October 25, 1958, Francis married Marjorie Hughes. For 34 years until his retirement in 1987, Francis was employed with the General Electric Co. working at both Broad St. and French Rd. After retiring, he took care of his grandchildren until they were old enough to go to school. To his daughter Barbara, Dad's fix-it shop was always open. To his son Jim, he was always there if he needed anything. If you asked Samantha about "Grampa", she'd tell you he taught her everything she knew. Joe said, " I would have to say, I remember that he always used to help me whenever I needed it. It didn't matter what he was doing, he always tried to help me. He was a trooper. I always pictured him as a superman, like nothing could ever hurt him." He and Joe were always shooting BB's at targets in the backyard. His special angel, his niece, Carleen Taylor, stayed with him many times over the past year so he wouldn't be alone if Marge wasn't home. She was also his barber when he needed a shave. It was a family joke, she did a much better job than Marge did. Francis is survived by his wife, Marge, his son James and wife Donna and grandchildren, Samantha and Joseph, all of Stittville, NY, his daughter Barbara, of Lake Mary, FL, step-granddaughter, Megan Bonvicino and step-great grandchildren, Toby, Ella, and David Bonvicino, all of Utica, his brothers, John Kogut, Clinton and Harold Kogut, St. Petersburg, FL, and his sisters, Dorothy Pesto, St. Petersburg, FL and Betty Mosher, Herkimer. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Francis was predeceased by a sister, Verna Cheney. Mr. Kogut's funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 2:30 at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd. N. Utica. Calling hours at the funeral home are Sunday from 12:30-2:30. A private burial will take place in the Holland Patent Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. in Francis's memory. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staffs of Hospice, Kunkel's Ambulance Service and the 5th Floor of Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare for all the loving care they gave to Francis.