A guy named Frankie Clark retired last week from the DPW in Shrewsbury. Frankie Clark, Frankie Clark – let’s see now – what’s in a name, a name like Frankie Clark?

When first we came to Shrewsbury many years ago Tommy Clark, Frankie’s Dad, was one of the first people we met.  Actually, we did not just meet him. He was riding by the house as we were moving in, he stopped, got out of the Borough truck he was driving, extended his hand and said, “Welcome to Shrewsbury.” He introduced himself and was gone. I remember turning to the better half and saying, “Are we going to like this place or what?”  

Over the years that we knew Tommy Clark he was forever extending himself for us and anyone else who needed his help or expertise – he was the Borough mechanic having closed his own business in Red Bank. I can’t say for certain but I’d be hard pressed not to believe that he didn’t restrict his kindness to residents and friends in Shrewsbury – he was just that kind of guy.

Some years later when Tommy was dying and his family was caring for him at home, I went with a friend who likewise held Tommy in high regard, Arlene Stump, to visit the man who had so warmly welcomed us to this small town. Arlene was in another room talking to the family and Tommy beckoned me to come closer to him so that he could whisper something in my ear. I bent down and he asked, “Do you really believe that there is a Heaven?” I said, “Not only do I believe that there is a Heaven, I believe that when they see you coming they will call you to the front of the line, Tommy Clark. And once you get there – keep an eye out for me – I’ll be expecting a Shrewsbury welcome from you one day.”  He smiled.

Betty Clark, Frankie’s Mom, was a devoted crossing guard for the children of Shrewsbury. Her life was tragically taken one day as she manned her post on Sycamore Avenue.  Rarely do I pass the corner of Sycamore and Colonial that I don’t recall that head of silver hair and that magnificent smile – how wonderful for the children that crossed on her watch – what a way to start the day.

Frankie came to Shrewsbury with his family in 1953, a mere snip of a boy. Four brothers, a sister, and Tommy and Betty Clark made a home and a life on Monroe in a house now referred to as the ‘Clark Homestead.' One of the Clark brothers, Johnny, lives there still with his family. Young Tom Clark predeceased his parents in 1981; Ella Clark and her 2 children also live in Shrewsbury, as does Sprat and his wife. Frankie lives with his wife, Doreen, a teaching nurse at Riverview Medical Center, in Eatontown. Frankie’s two sons, Scott and Bob, are adults and they are making Frankie proud in professions of their own.

Proud of his roots here in Shrewsbury Frankie recalls, “I loved living here as a kid and working in town has been great - everyone knows your name, people greet you wherever you go.”

Frankie never tires of telling me the story of how, some years ago, he encountered my oldest, Joseph, during a snow storm. Frankie was working, plowing the streets to see that they were clear for passage. As he drove the plow down the side street by our house (we’re on a corner) all of a sudden – POW – there comes flying into the cab a firmly packed snowball that hit its mark. Frankie jumped out of the truck but he was too late – the assailant was gone. He continued plowing down to the end of the street, turned around and came back giving the road another pass with the plow – once again – POW – into the cab came a snowball.  Frankie pulled over, got out of the truck and ran chasing a fleet-footed kid now running for his life. Coming up to a huge pine tree in the front of the house on the opposite corner there he was – my pride and joy – a little worse for wear and not just a little bit scared of what might follow.  As the story goes - Frankie gave this marauder fair warning and chuckled to himself as he resumed his plowing. 

Just a few days after word of Frankie’s departure had started to circulate (something that does not take long in a small town like Shrewsbury) I was in a meeting at the Borough Hall with Meg Levinson, a Shrewsbury resident and president of the Board of Health in town. Frankie came in the front door of the Borough Hall – we spotted him from where we sat and called him over. Giving Meg a hug and a kiss he said, laughing, “How come we never dated in high school?”  Come to find out – they attended RBR at the same time. Later on when commenting on what a loss Frankie’s retirement will be Meg said, “Ah, that Frankie – you can always count on him for a kiss.”

I had reason this morning to stop by the DPW. While there, I spoke for a few moments to Bobby Wentway, manager of the DPW who has worked with Frankie for 24 years. Speaking of Frankie’s recent departure he said, “Twenty-four years is a long time and it has all been a pleasure – the entire time we worked together, we had good times, we had fun, and I learned a lot from him. He is definitely going to be missed.”

For his part Frankie says, “I’ve worked at the DPW 40 years – 40 years is a long time – we are a family.  We spend more time with each other than we do with our wives.  And we count on each other.  Over the last 20 years we’ve built the best crew – they’re great.”

In Shrewsbury first names are commonly in use, yet, every now and then you have to clarify with a last name. There is one name however that everyone knows and no explanation is required – ‘Frankie.' At a Homesteader’s meeting a few weeks back our Mayor, Donald Burden, announced ‘Frankie’s retirement’ – there was a collective sigh from over 50 people whose ages run from 50 into the 90s. Everybody knows Frankie – everybody is going to miss Frankie. 

Frankie will be working with the Borough in another capacity but, as one fellow I spoke to at Stroker’s said, “It’s just not going to be the same without Frankie at the DPW.” Very true, sir, very true.

Mayor Burden takes pride in pointing out how Frankie would always go the extra mile, "He got into the global positioning system (GPS) and created a geographic information system (GIS) mapping every fire hydrant and storm drain in Shrewsbury.  Frankie knows every nook and cranny in this town.  He has long been the face of the community to the residents of this borough.”

There is much to be said for a job well done, especially if in doing the job, we make a difference in the lives of those we have touched along the way.

Well done, Frankie Clark, well done.

C.M. McLoughlin, a writer and editor from New Jersey and New York, can be reached at mcloughlin43@gmail.com