Fote Backy

Fote E. Backy, 92, of Champaign, died on Wednesday, December 21 at Carriage Crossing Senior Living.

There will be a visitation on Wednesday, Dec 28 from 4-6 pm at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St, Champaign. The funeral service will be on Thursday, Dec 29 at 10am at the funeral home with Rev. Dave Ashby officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Fote will be honored with Military Rites and the Firefighter Honor Guard.

Fote was born on June 12, 1930, in Sadorus; a son of George and Gladys (nee Baldwin) Backy. After graduating from Urbana High School, Fote enlisted in the US Navy where he honorably served for 3 years. Upon discharge he continued his dedication to serving his community by becoming a Firefighter at the U of I fire department. He married Nada Trotter in 1954, and she preceded him in death on December 26, 1991.  After his retirement from the fire department, Fote purchased The Brass Rail bar in downtown Champaign, where he was the owner/operator for 47 years.

Fote is survived by 4 children, Carla (Duane) Merkle, Barb Backy, Elizabeth (Robert) Clark, all of Champaign and James Dente of Tolono; 1 brother, Basil Backy of CA; 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was a lifelong Cubs fan and he loved to fish in his younger years. But since purchasing The Brass Rail, Fote was happy to make work his hobby.

Fote's family would like to extend a special note of thanks to the nurses and aides at Carriage Crossing, for the loving care they gave him through the years.

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