Members of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce and the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Francis B. Wilson. Frank had been an active member of the chamber of commerce for more than 50 years, serving two terms as president between 1954 and 1961. In 1975, the Chamber honored him as Garden City Citizen of the Year. Professionally, Frank had been the owner of Francis B. Wilson Realty and president of Francis B. Wilson Management Co. The Chamber named Frank Businessperson of the Year in 1990. Frank had been an active Rotarian since 1952 and just before his passing was named a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary's highest honor.

From 1952 to 1956, Frank had been the store manager for the old Franklin Simon department store branch here on the corner of Franklin Avenue and Ninth Street where TDK stands today. While at Franklin Simon, Frank provided the very first office for the Chamber and hired the first ever executive director. Along with a handful of other retailers of the day, Frank Wilson spearheaded the Chamber's first merchant's committee. He also served as chairman of the Business Development Committee, keeping a watchful eye on parking concerns as well as the aesthetics of lower Franklin Avenue and Seventh Street, Garden City's community shopping center. His office had been located at 171 Seventh Street (now the home of Garden City Properties).

A longtime resident of Garden City, Frank involved himself in the total workings of the village. He served as a two-term president of the Western Property Owners' Association, but perhaps the most noteworthy of his many civic accomplishments was his effort to help establish the Garden City Community Fund for which he served as its first president in 1958. He served as a director and secretary to the organization almost to the present time. Those of us who knew, worked and served with Frank will certainly miss him.

Althea Robinson