Floyd E. Seeley, age 76, local businessman and known to thousands of children and adults alike as "Seal the Clown," died of cancer April 6, 2007 at Lakeside Memorial Hospital, Brockport.
Mr. Seeley, often referred to as Seal, was owner/operator of Seal's Auto Parts, which had its beginnings in a traveling van, going from garage to garage to provide auto parts to his customers. As his business grew, he had storefront locations, first in the Brockport area, and finally in Spencerport. He also operated Seal's Tours from 1981 to 1998, offering deluxe motorcoach trips to many locations throughout the country. His passengers were afforded every comfort possible and treated royally, according to many satisfied travelers. A lover of antiques and books, he was a shop owner at Craft Antique Co-op, at its original site in Hilton's Canning Street Square as well as at its current location in Greece.
Generously sharing of himself and his personal time, Mr. Seeley is perhaps best known for his role as Seal the Clown. According to his wife, who he married in December 1953, Seal became interested in clowning in 1972, after joining the Masonic Lodge and the Shrine. For many years he made weekly trips to local hospitals and nursing homes, delighting patients with his balloon creations and presenting many with stuffed animals or dolls. Every June, he arranged for special education children to enjoy an afternoon at the Spencerport Firemen's Carnival. In December, he entertained children afflicted with Spina Bifida at a Christmas party at the Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post in Spencerport. For the last ten years, he amused children at Brown's Berry Patch in Waterport every weekend, from Mother's Day until mid-October.
Seal was often seen at area parades, riding his motorized scooter along the parade route, stopping to chat with spectators.
A shy and humble man, Seal never sought recognition for his endeavors; in fact, he did what he could to avoid that. Nevertheless, his accomplishments and humanitarianism did not go unnoticed by the communities and people he touched.
In 1983, he received the Toastmaster International's Communication Achievement Award for his dedication to the sick and handicapped, the elderly and firemen, and for communication excellence for his willingness to teach others the art of clowning. The Rotary Club honored him with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, given to community professionals in recognition of their outstanding contributions exemplifying the highest ideal in Rotary in placing "Service Above Self."
"Seal was a true Rotarian who put ‘Service Above Self,' volunteering his talents as a clown to delight and amuse," said Brockport Rotarian Pat Baker. "He was a fixture at nearly every Rotary Ziti Dinner and numerous other club events."
In January of this year, the Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation for his participation in the business community and for his generous contributions of time, energy and talents entertaining children and adults, especially those with special needs, as "Seal the Clown."
A man of many talents, he could recite a poem or quote a verse on just about any subject. His cooking skills were known to many. When asked what the secret was to the wonderful flavor of his creations, he replied that good cooking comes from the heart. "It comes from in here," he said, pointing to his chest.
Floyd Seeley was predeceased by his daughter, Debbie, in 1971. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter (who was born April 4, just two days before his death), three step-grandchildren, a brother, several nieces and nephews. He was a member of Unity Lodge #479 F. & A.M., Etolian Chapter #308 Order of the Eastern Star, Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post #330, Rotary Club and Elks.
A Memorial Service was held at Sweden-Clarkson Community Center in Brockport on April 13. Contributions may be made to "Everybody Rides" FIDDSO, c/o Fowler Funeral Home, 340 West Avenue, Brockport, NY 14420 or to the American Cancer Society in his memory.
Westside News Inc. Death Notices, week of April 15th 2007
Mr. Seeley, often referred to as Seal, was owner/operator of Seal's Auto Parts, which had its beginnings in a traveling van, going from garage to garage to provide auto parts to his customers. As his business grew, he had storefront locations, first in the Brockport area, and finally in Spencerport. He also operated Seal's Tours from 1981 to 1998, offering deluxe motorcoach trips to many locations throughout the country. His passengers were afforded every comfort possible and treated royally, according to many satisfied travelers. A lover of antiques and books, he was a shop owner at Craft Antique Co-op, at its original site in Hilton's Canning Street Square as well as at its current location in Greece.
Generously sharing of himself and his personal time, Mr. Seeley is perhaps best known for his role as Seal the Clown. According to his wife, who he married in December 1953, Seal became interested in clowning in 1972, after joining the Masonic Lodge and the Shrine. For many years he made weekly trips to local hospitals and nursing homes, delighting patients with his balloon creations and presenting many with stuffed animals or dolls. Every June, he arranged for special education children to enjoy an afternoon at the Spencerport Firemen's Carnival. In December, he entertained children afflicted with Spina Bifida at a Christmas party at the Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post in Spencerport. For the last ten years, he amused children at Brown's Berry Patch in Waterport every weekend, from Mother's Day until mid-October.
Seal was often seen at area parades, riding his motorized scooter along the parade route, stopping to chat with spectators.
A shy and humble man, Seal never sought recognition for his endeavors; in fact, he did what he could to avoid that. Nevertheless, his accomplishments and humanitarianism did not go unnoticed by the communities and people he touched.
In 1983, he received the Toastmaster International's Communication Achievement Award for his dedication to the sick and handicapped, the elderly and firemen, and for communication excellence for his willingness to teach others the art of clowning. The Rotary Club honored him with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, given to community professionals in recognition of their outstanding contributions exemplifying the highest ideal in Rotary in placing "Service Above Self."
"Seal was a true Rotarian who put ‘Service Above Self,' volunteering his talents as a clown to delight and amuse," said Brockport Rotarian Pat Baker. "He was a fixture at nearly every Rotary Ziti Dinner and numerous other club events."
In January of this year, the Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation for his participation in the business community and for his generous contributions of time, energy and talents entertaining children and adults, especially those with special needs, as "Seal the Clown."
A man of many talents, he could recite a poem or quote a verse on just about any subject. His cooking skills were known to many. When asked what the secret was to the wonderful flavor of his creations, he replied that good cooking comes from the heart. "It comes from in here," he said, pointing to his chest.
Floyd Seeley was predeceased by his daughter, Debbie, in 1971. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter (who was born April 4, just two days before his death), three step-grandchildren, a brother, several nieces and nephews. He was a member of Unity Lodge #479 F. & A.M., Etolian Chapter #308 Order of the Eastern Star, Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post #330, Rotary Club and Elks.
A Memorial Service was held at Sweden-Clarkson Community Center in Brockport on April 13. Contributions may be made to "Everybody Rides" FIDDSO, c/o Fowler Funeral Home, 340 West Avenue, Brockport, NY 14420 or to the American Cancer Society in his memory.
Westside News Inc. Death Notices, week of April 15th 2007
Floyd E. Seeley, age 76, local businessman and known to thousands of children and adults alike as "Seal the Clown," died of cancer April 6, 2007 at Lakeside Memorial Hospital, Brockport.
Mr. Seeley, often referred to as Seal, was owner/operator of Seal's Auto Parts, which had its beginnings in a traveling van, going from garage to garage to provide auto parts to his customers. As his business grew, he had storefront locations, first in the Brockport area, and finally in Spencerport. He also operated Seal's Tours from 1981 to 1998, offering deluxe motorcoach trips to many locations throughout the country. His passengers were afforded every comfort possible and treated royally, according to many satisfied travelers. A lover of antiques and books, he was a shop owner at Craft Antique Co-op, at its original site in Hilton's Canning Street Square as well as at its current location in Greece.
Generously sharing of himself and his personal time, Mr. Seeley is perhaps best known for his role as Seal the Clown. According to his wife, who he married in December 1953, Seal became interested in clowning in 1972, after joining the Masonic Lodge and the Shrine. For many years he made weekly trips to local hospitals and nursing homes, delighting patients with his balloon creations and presenting many with stuffed animals or dolls. Every June, he arranged for special education children to enjoy an afternoon at the Spencerport Firemen's Carnival. In December, he entertained children afflicted with Spina Bifida at a Christmas party at the Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post in Spencerport. For the last ten years, he amused children at Brown's Berry Patch in Waterport every weekend, from Mother's Day until mid-October.
Seal was often seen at area parades, riding his motorized scooter along the parade route, stopping to chat with spectators.
A shy and humble man, Seal never sought recognition for his endeavors; in fact, he did what he could to avoid that. Nevertheless, his accomplishments and humanitarianism did not go unnoticed by the communities and people he touched.
In 1983, he received the Toastmaster International's Communication Achievement Award for his dedication to the sick and handicapped, the elderly and firemen, and for communication excellence for his willingness to teach others the art of clowning. The Rotary Club honored him with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, given to community professionals in recognition of their outstanding contributions exemplifying the highest ideal in Rotary in placing "Service Above Self."
"Seal was a true Rotarian who put ‘Service Above Self,' volunteering his talents as a clown to delight and amuse," said Brockport Rotarian Pat Baker. "He was a fixture at nearly every Rotary Ziti Dinner and numerous other club events."
In January of this year, the Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation for his participation in the business community and for his generous contributions of time, energy and talents entertaining children and adults, especially those with special needs, as "Seal the Clown."
A man of many talents, he could recite a poem or quote a verse on just about any subject. His cooking skills were known to many. When asked what the secret was to the wonderful flavor of his creations, he replied that good cooking comes from the heart. "It comes from in here," he said, pointing to his chest.
Floyd Seeley was predeceased by his daughter, Debbie, in 1971. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter (who was born April 4, just two days before his death), three step-grandchildren, a brother, several nieces and nephews. He was a member of Unity Lodge #479 F. & A.M., Etolian Chapter #308 Order of the Eastern Star, Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post #330, Rotary Club and Elks.
A Memorial Service was held at Sweden-Clarkson Community Center in Brockport on April 13. Contributions may be made to "Everybody Rides" FIDDSO, c/o Fowler Funeral Home, 340 West Avenue, Brockport, NY 14420 or to the American Cancer Society in his memory.
Westside News Inc. Death Notices, week of April 15th 2007
Mr. Seeley, often referred to as Seal, was owner/operator of Seal's Auto Parts, which had its beginnings in a traveling van, going from garage to garage to provide auto parts to his customers. As his business grew, he had storefront locations, first in the Brockport area, and finally in Spencerport. He also operated Seal's Tours from 1981 to 1998, offering deluxe motorcoach trips to many locations throughout the country. His passengers were afforded every comfort possible and treated royally, according to many satisfied travelers. A lover of antiques and books, he was a shop owner at Craft Antique Co-op, at its original site in Hilton's Canning Street Square as well as at its current location in Greece.
Generously sharing of himself and his personal time, Mr. Seeley is perhaps best known for his role as Seal the Clown. According to his wife, who he married in December 1953, Seal became interested in clowning in 1972, after joining the Masonic Lodge and the Shrine. For many years he made weekly trips to local hospitals and nursing homes, delighting patients with his balloon creations and presenting many with stuffed animals or dolls. Every June, he arranged for special education children to enjoy an afternoon at the Spencerport Firemen's Carnival. In December, he entertained children afflicted with Spina Bifida at a Christmas party at the Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post in Spencerport. For the last ten years, he amused children at Brown's Berry Patch in Waterport every weekend, from Mother's Day until mid-October.
Seal was often seen at area parades, riding his motorized scooter along the parade route, stopping to chat with spectators.
A shy and humble man, Seal never sought recognition for his endeavors; in fact, he did what he could to avoid that. Nevertheless, his accomplishments and humanitarianism did not go unnoticed by the communities and people he touched.
In 1983, he received the Toastmaster International's Communication Achievement Award for his dedication to the sick and handicapped, the elderly and firemen, and for communication excellence for his willingness to teach others the art of clowning. The Rotary Club honored him with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, given to community professionals in recognition of their outstanding contributions exemplifying the highest ideal in Rotary in placing "Service Above Self."
"Seal was a true Rotarian who put ‘Service Above Self,' volunteering his talents as a clown to delight and amuse," said Brockport Rotarian Pat Baker. "He was a fixture at nearly every Rotary Ziti Dinner and numerous other club events."
In January of this year, the Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation for his participation in the business community and for his generous contributions of time, energy and talents entertaining children and adults, especially those with special needs, as "Seal the Clown."
A man of many talents, he could recite a poem or quote a verse on just about any subject. His cooking skills were known to many. When asked what the secret was to the wonderful flavor of his creations, he replied that good cooking comes from the heart. "It comes from in here," he said, pointing to his chest.
Floyd Seeley was predeceased by his daughter, Debbie, in 1971. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter (who was born April 4, just two days before his death), three step-grandchildren, a brother, several nieces and nephews. He was a member of Unity Lodge #479 F. & A.M., Etolian Chapter #308 Order of the Eastern Star, Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post #330, Rotary Club and Elks.
A Memorial Service was held at Sweden-Clarkson Community Center in Brockport on April 13. Contributions may be made to "Everybody Rides" FIDDSO, c/o Fowler Funeral Home, 340 West Avenue, Brockport, NY 14420 or to the American Cancer Society in his memory.
Westside News Inc. Death Notices, week of April 15th 2007
Bio by: Mount Hope NY
Family Members
Children
