A Wookies return.....

Johnny Utah said:
I met Frank almost thirty years ago in 96/97 just when he acquired his first bike - a Trek 930, which he later upgraded to his White GT LTS - I still remember the smile on his face for months after obtaining this - he later put my Junior T on after I traded for his Z1. At that point I was 15 and would ride my bike to Allaire solo.

After seeing Frank a few times in the lot out front of his Ford Mustang we finally spoke and started riding together. He was so patient as I was morbidly obese (I used to crack a frame a year at Allaire) but we rode regularly. This later turned into fight club rides and eventually road trips to Blue Mountain and other DH locations to go downhilling. If Frank ever told you about the spectacular crash that looked like an airliner going down - I was there to watch it.

As Allaire had trail issues and Wally came in I was there to help - watching JORBA form and Frank work his magic was wonderful, I never would have dreamed it would have transitioned to what it is now - But Frank was dedicated and made it happen. Our time in trail work eventually led me to a horticulture degree which turned into managing farms which led to where I am now - much of it shaped by my time spent with Frank as a young man.

We lost a unique and special individual who united so many of us in happiness. I am happy for the connections but sad to say we have lost one of our “Connectors”. The world has some large Wookie shoes to fill now.
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This. Is. Amazing. RIP Wookie!
 
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So sad to hear. He fought a good fight and he appeared to have a good attitude doing it. I first met him was at a group ride at 6-Mile Run when we all started at the Rt. 27 lot. He will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Frank.
 
Like most I met Frank on the trails of Allaire when I was first riding so long ago.
Not sure how long but he had me doing TM sessions since at least 2000 or so I remember the first session I came to was working the Steelman extension.
Working on the trails with Frank was learning all the right ways of cutting trail plus laughing your ass off at the silly stuff.
We never had a bad time working on the trails and it was “always 10 degrees cooler in the woods”.
Frank was one of a kind when it came to showing people the right way to slope a trail or how to get over a log on a ride.
Plus he taught the real meaning of the word “hamburger” there will always be an open spot that he filled perfectly. Between the fog or MTB
rides he always had the time and patience to teach people.
Had the best times riding the trails with him the and Allaire dirtbags and some of the memories will never be forgotten.
The dirtbags are still around but the Albino Wookie has passed to riding and trail building with the greats.
You will be surely missed Dude......
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tonyride said:
So sad to hear. He fought a good fight and he appeared to have a good attitude doing it. I first met him was at a group ride at 6-Mile Run when we all started at the Rt. 27 lot. He will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Frank.
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Was this the ride? this was the Josh Biscosh farewell 6 mile ride..... Of course Josh did not make it...
 
I miss Frank so much 😢

Reading all of the different ways Frank has touched people's lives goes to show how special and unique he was as a person

Watching/hearing him speak in the JORBA skills clinic video was really really hard ☹️

I haven't known Frank as long as a lot of you have but truly cherished every moment with him.

A few years ago I had no idea what a Wookie was until @Purl and I passed by his car in the Allaire lot and said "He's here, let's go find him!"

And that was the end of that!

I never bonded with someone so quickly in such a short amount of time.

I could listen to Frank talk for days!

I loved all of his funny stories, sarcasm and just the way he made Me feel as a person and how fun he was to be around. His outlook, positivity, and attitude towards EVERYTHING was so infectious and I genuinely feel he showed me how to be a better person.

I'm sure in his heyday he was an even bigger trip and a riot of a guy.

Anytime I got to be with Frank I was SO happy to chat whether it be about local MTB history, music, some funny story from years ago or really wherever the conversation led.

The last few EPS group rides he was at, if I was struggling he'd sneak up behind me and start giving me a push from his e-bike and I'd get all cranky and tell him to get off me lol!

One of my favorite Frank stories is after a ride a few of us are BSing in the lot. I had donuts in my car (boston creme, jelly, strawberry / sprinkles etc) all the good stuff! I go "Frank.....are you allowed to have donuts?"

And with that big shit eating grin he hesitantly goes "I will!!!!"

I think more filling and crumbs ended up in his beard that day than his mouth 😅 he looked like a little kid.

I've said it many times that no one has affected me THAT much in such a little amount of time.

He was your best friend, your brother, and a father figure all in one and man do I really want a hug from him right now!

I feel very fortunate to have known Frank for the little amount of time I had with him and my condolences to those who have had a lifelong relationship with Frank.

I'll miss him so dearly.

I'm not sure I'll ever get into the saddle without thinking about him😢 truly gutted

Ride in peace Frank 💪💪 love ya pal
 

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Granogued said:
I miss Frank so much 😢

Reading all of the different ways Frank has touched people's lives goes to show how special and unique he was as a person

Watching/hearing him speak in the JORBA skills clinic video was really really hard ☹️

I haven't known Frank as long as a lot of you have but truly cherished every moment with him.

A few years ago I had no idea what a Wookie was until @Purl and I passed by his car in the Allaire lot and said "He's here, let's go find him!"

And that was the end of that!

I never bonded with someone so quickly in such a short amount of time.

I could listen to Frank talk for days!

I loved all of his funny stories, sarcasm and just the way he made Me feel as a person and how fun he was to be around. His outlook, positivity, and attitude towards EVERYTHING was so infectious and I genuinely feel he showed me how to be a better person.

I'm sure in his heyday he was an even bigger trip and a riot of a guy.

Anytime I got to be with Frank I was SO happy to chat whether it be about local MTB history, music, some funny story from years ago or really wherever the conversation led.

The last few EPS group rides he was at, if I was struggling he'd sneak up behind me and start giving me a push from his e-bike and I'd get all cranky and tell him to get off me lol!

One of my favorite Frank stories is after a ride a few of us are BSing in the lot. I had donuts in my car (boston creme, jelly, strawberry / sprinkles etc) all the good stuff! I go "Frank.....are you allowed to have donuts?"

And with that big shit eating grin he hesitantly goes "I will!!!!"

I think more filling and crumbs ended up in his beard that day than his mouth 😅 he looked like a little kid.

I've said it many times that no one has affected me THAT much in such a little amount of time.

He was your best friend, your brother, and a father figure all in one and man do I really want a hug from him right now!

I feel very fortunate to have known Frank for the little amount of time I had with him and my condolences to those who have had a lifelong relationship with Frank.

I'll miss him so dearly.

I'm not sure I'll ever get into the saddle without thinking about him😢 truly gutted

Ride in peace Frank 💪💪 love ya pal
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Very well put and such a nice tribute to Frank. And how the heck did he do 24 miles not even a year ago? The people, the trails, the bikes...all kept him going strong.
 
Mare said:
Very well put and such a nice tribute to Frank. And how the heck did he do 24 miles not even a year ago? The people, the trails, the bikes...all kept him going strong.
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I'm just looking at my own strava from that day I got some PRs he was pushing hard!!!!!

(This was the donut day. 😢😢😢)
 

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@KenS Spoke at the final Nica race of the season on sunday and stopped the awards for a moment of silence for Frank. I of course immediately lost my composure but Ken held it together. Ken is a rock solid friend to the end and beyond.

Frank lives on in so many of us. I'm not sure if he ever really understood how much of an impact he had on me. Maybe he did. I will miss his for the rest of my days and I already know that I won't even be able to do any trail work again w/o thinking of him.

If there is a better realm beyond this one, I hope he's there doing what makes him smile.

To honor him i've tried to take the high road more than ever this last week, give and take hugs with a strong embrace and love the people around me in a way that only Frank could.
 
Granogued said:
I miss Frank so much 😢

Reading all of the different ways Frank has touched people's lives goes to show how special and unique he was as a person

Watching/hearing him speak in the JORBA skills clinic video was really really hard ☹️

I haven't known Frank as long as a lot of you have but truly cherished every moment with him.

A few years ago I had no idea what a Wookie was until @Purl and I passed by his car in the Allaire lot and said "He's here, let's go find him!"

And that was the end of that!

I never bonded with someone so quickly in such a short amount of time.

I could listen to Frank talk for days!

I loved all of his funny stories, sarcasm and just the way he made Me feel as a person and how fun he was to be around. His outlook, positivity, and attitude towards EVERYTHING was so infectious and I genuinely feel he showed me how to be a better person.

I'm sure in his heyday he was an even bigger trip and a riot of a guy.

Anytime I got to be with Frank I was SO happy to chat whether it be about local MTB history, music, some funny story from years ago or really wherever the conversation led.

The last few EPS group rides he was at, if I was struggling he'd sneak up behind me and start giving me a push from his e-bike and I'd get all cranky and tell him to get off me lol!

One of my favorite Frank stories is after a ride a few of us are BSing in the lot. I had donuts in my car (boston creme, jelly, strawberry / sprinkles etc) all the good stuff! I go "Frank.....are you allowed to have donuts?"

And with that big shit eating grin he hesitantly goes "I will!!!!"

I think more filling and crumbs ended up in his beard that day than his mouth 😅 he looked like a little kid.

I've said it many times that no one has affected me THAT much in such a little amount of time.

He was your best friend, your brother, and a father figure all in one and man do I really want a hug from him right now!

I feel very fortunate to have known Frank for the little amount of time I had with him and my condolences to those who have had a lifelong relationship with Frank.

I'll miss him so dearly.

I'm not sure I'll ever get into the saddle without thinking about him😢 truly gutted

Ride in peace Frank 💪💪 love ya pal
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I've been reading this thread and have been struggling on what I can add.

You've said it for me. I've known Frank for years from trailing maintenance and riding. I've interacted with him on many ocasions and enjoyed every encounter. But I've really never spent any quality time with him.

That changed last year. When he was still riding, I hit him up and we did a mid week ride at alaire. Just him and Me. We talked and rode for about 2 hours. It is a ride I'll remember forever. It felt like we were friends forever and we talked about a zillion different topics.

He had such a great spirit-he never once complained and was always smiling.

Rest in peace my friend.

Ps i thought it was cheeseburger? Not hamburger.
 
knobbyhead said:
I've been reading this thread and have been struggling on what I can add.

You've said it for me. I've known Frank for years from trailing maintenance and riding. I've interacted with him on many ocasions and enjoyed every encounter. But I've really never spent any quality time with him.

That changed last year. When he was still riding, I hit him up and we did a mid week ride at alaire. Just him and Me. We talked and rode for about 2 hours. It is a ride I'll remember forever. It felt like we were friends forever and we talked about a zillion different topics.

He had such a great spirit-he never once complained and was always smiling.

Rest in peace my friend.

Ps i thought it was cheeseburger? Not hamburger.
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yes it is cheeseburger I hate auto correct it was always cheeseburger thanks for checking it...
 
Please see the obituary posted above for details on the Monday, June 16th gathering at Point Lobster Bar & Grill. We hope to see you all there. For those who are unable to attend, we will post a group ride and BBQ at Allaire later in the year.
 
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