Frank J. Masterson, a longtime Williston Park State Farm Insurance agent, died at his Albertson home on April 20, 1999. He was born in Manhattan July 19, 1918 to Irish immigrants Patrick and Mary Mulllgan Masterson. He lived in Connecticut for a few years before moving to Woodside, Queens, where he was an altar boy at St. Sebastian's Parish.

While growing up Frank worked for his father's grocery store (Ralston's) in Elmhurst, Queens, with his two brothers. He graduated from Newtown HS in 1936 where he was a varsity pole vaulter and cross-country runner. He was an avid basketball and baseball athlete, playing in many amateur leagues, throughout NYC, against future Hall of Famers - Phil Rizzuto and Whitey Ford.

After graduating Frank worked for the Union News in Manhattan as an office boy and clerk. He was drafted into the Army in May 1941, joining the field artillery, being assigned to the 22nd Armored Divison. In December of 1941, right after Pearl Harbor, Frank joined the Tank Destroyers where he remained until the spring of 1942. At this time, the Army Air Corps was formed and he was the senior first sergeant in the "Flying Sergeants" stationed in Miami, FL.

On Jan. 1, 1943, Frank married his longtime sweetheart, Dorothy Boylan, while on leave from his post at Freeman Field in Seymour, IN, with the 4th Armored Division. He was the president of the Non-Commissioned Officers Club. He also played on the Army's baseball team. One of his games was at the Navy base at Chanute Field and he got the only two hits off Hall of Famer, Bob Feller, who was stationed there.

When Frank got out of the Army he eventually went to work for "Cross and Brown," where he was their leading Commercial Real Estate broker in Western Queens. In 1951 he and his family moved to a Cape Cod in Albertson where he still resided at the time of his death.

In 1956 Frank became one of the original State Farm Insurance agents, when State Farm opened in NY starting in his home, eventually having offices in Glen Oaks, Queens, and finally in Williston Park. His first office was at 157 Hillside Ave. In 1978 he moved across the street to 174 Hillside Ave. where he shared his office with two of his sons, Bud and Peter.

For over 35 years Frank flew his own personal plane up and down the eastern part of the US. He played and coached softball in the Manhasset Open League until his 72nd birthday at which time he "retired" to only coaching the team. He was a 50-year member of the Woodside, Queens American Legion. He was also an avid fisherman and boater who moored his boats in both Glen Cove and Northport and his winter homes in Lake Worth and Lantana, FL.

From 1962 until the 1970s Frank was heavily involved with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as Nassau County Scout Commissioner and Troop 177 leader and Merit Badge counselor. He was awarded the prestigious "Silver Bear Award," the Boy Scouts' highest volunteer award. He was also an auxiliary policeman in Albertson and was active in the Albertson Little League.

In addition to his wife, Dorothy, Frank is also survived by his sons, Bud Masterson of Glen Cove, Patrick Masterson of Dix Hills and Pete Masterson of Asharoken; brothers Tom Masterson of Old Bethpage and Jim Masterson of Elmhurst; a sister, Chris Lennox of Lake Worth; grandchildren, Carrie, Dennis, Danny, Michael, Chris and Will; and great-grandson Jake.

There was no funeral service - only a private family gathering was held. Contributions may be made to either Momma's House, Inc. or the Boys Scouts of America, c/o Peter Masterson, PO Box 300, Williston Park, NY 11596.