Remembering William Frank Sr.

If you’ve been to a baseball game at Toms River South or Toms River East over the years there’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen William Frank Sr.

You might not have known who he was but you’ve probably seen him because he didn’t miss many games when the Indians and Raiders were at home. One of my rituals when attending a game at South in recent years was to seek Mr. Frank and his wife out because they would often sit in their car next to the bleachers down the right field line and watch from there. It’s not like they couldn’t get better seats…I mean the baseball stadium is named after their oldest son but they liked that vantage point.
They rooted for the Indians and the Raiders with passion, except on those days when the teams played one another. This was pure torture for William and Julia because it meant their boys would play one another which of course would result in one of them losing. So when Ken’s Toms River South Indians went up against Bill’s Toms River East Raiders the parents would basically just pray that when it was over the two would still be speaking to one another.

I could only imagine what it was like when the boys were growing up in Jersey City because I’m sure there was a fight or two which Dad had to eventually settle in one fashion or another. Both were very competitive and that really didn’t change all that much as they grew into adults and became fathers themselves. I remember quite well a period years ago in which their coaching rivalry went over the top and they ended up in a feud in which they weren’t speaking to one another. Mom and Dad were not happy and you could cut the tension with a knife. The boys of course finally settled their differences and like their parents always preached are best friends and each other’s biggest fans…except of course when they play one another.

William Frank Sr. got as much joy as any parent could in watching the success of his two son’s and being a part of hundreds of victories and plenty of championships on the baseball field. Just as important was watching six grandchildren grow up because family was always #1.

After a long illness he passed away this week at the age of 89 and he’d be the first to tell you he had a great ride. Family and friends will gather tomorrow at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals on St. Catherine Boulevard in Toms River to say their goodbyes. Not seeing his car parked at Ken Frank Stadium will be a sad reminder that he’s gone but he’ll still be watching from the best seat in the house.