Where is Frank when we need him?
With all the gloom and doom in the news today, it is hard to put a smile on your face sometimes. Whenever I felt that way before, I would always look forward to seeing Frank Toohey because he knew how to make me smile and laugh and forget my troubles.
I miss you Frank.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Frank Toohey was the funniest guy I ever met
Frank Toohey was the funniest guy I ever met.
I first met Frank about six or seven years ago when I was working at Seaside. One day this tall blonde haired guy showed up and introduced himself tome. He told me about his love for the oregon coast and how his dream was to take my job when the time was right. I started calling him mister Seaside that day.
We became instant friends. Frank had a way of using humor as way to make friends of everyone he met. Over the years Frank told me lots of stories about his family background, his youth, and his life of adventure.
He told me about his family background as famous boxers and how his family once had cornered the market in the boxing glove business. He talked about how his family name was Flores, just like the former coach of the Raiders. He said that in the boxing business the Flores name was huge.
Frank told me about his adventures in selling Christmas trees to the rich and famous down in California. He told me about all the movie stars who would only buy their holiday trees from him and his family. He said that Jodie Foster always bought his trees. Frank told me stories about his days as the foosball champion of California.
His eyes would light up as he could tell I was really listening to his stories. Frank was a tremendous story teller and a master joke teller. He could always bring a smile on peoples faces and he never stopped trying to go the extra mile until he got that smile on a person’s face. He always said there was two sides to every story and every pancake too.
We talked a lot about our children. The last time I saw Frank just acouple weeks ago, he told me how proud he was of his children. He also told me his secrets to 33 years of marriage. Over the years Frank and I talked a lot about overcoming adversity. We talked about my son’s learning disabilities and he told me about how he overcame his own challenges in learning how to read. He told me that he did not actually learn to read until he was thirty. He said one day he decided it was something important and he made a choice to overcome that obstacle in his life, and he did it.
He always went out of his way to talk to kids. My kids and all the kids we encountered. He would take the time to talk with them and honor them. Frank had a wisdom and grace about him. Over the years I felt that life was so much better by having known Frank.
When the time was right I found myself leaving Seaside and I always knew that Frank would excel and become mister Seaside if he had the opportunity. Frank became so successful that I felt like a proud parent, seeing Frank break all records and become legendary in the business. He always took the time to remind me of his appreciation for the opportunity. The truth is that we all are offered opportunities but few go for them. Most of us hesitate at those turning point moments. But Frank never hesitated. He just proved to everyone he could do it.
I really enjoyed seeing Frank and Toni a few weeks ago at a friends wedding. Frank was so funny that day. He seemed so happy. He talked about his kids and his successful marriage and his excitement about the future.
Over the years I had asked Frank to let me interview him and to do his video biography. I always thought that Frank was bigger than life. I felt he was a living heroic character in our midst. I wanted to hear his stories. Frank always had the same answer to my request. No RJ I am not ready yet. I have too many things to do yet in my life. Maybe someday down the road. I understood the way he felt. Frank was busy living and wanted to focus on the now and the bright future.
I am truly grateful to have met and known Frank Toohey. Sometimes his jokes were a little bit corny, but I always appreciated him not giving up on me or anyone. We always would laugh and smile and feel that Frank made our day. Again and again and again. He always brightened up the room and made people smile.
Frank was the funniest, most happy, luckiest guy I ever met. He alwayssaw the good in the day and he never let me down. I could always count on Frank Toohey.
RJ
I first met Frank about six or seven years ago when I was working at Seaside. One day this tall blonde haired guy showed up and introduced himself tome. He told me about his love for the oregon coast and how his dream was to take my job when the time was right. I started calling him mister Seaside that day.
We became instant friends. Frank had a way of using humor as way to make friends of everyone he met. Over the years Frank told me lots of stories about his family background, his youth, and his life of adventure.
He told me about his family background as famous boxers and how his family once had cornered the market in the boxing glove business. He talked about how his family name was Flores, just like the former coach of the Raiders. He said that in the boxing business the Flores name was huge.
Frank told me about his adventures in selling Christmas trees to the rich and famous down in California. He told me about all the movie stars who would only buy their holiday trees from him and his family. He said that Jodie Foster always bought his trees. Frank told me stories about his days as the foosball champion of California.
His eyes would light up as he could tell I was really listening to his stories. Frank was a tremendous story teller and a master joke teller. He could always bring a smile on peoples faces and he never stopped trying to go the extra mile until he got that smile on a person’s face. He always said there was two sides to every story and every pancake too.
We talked a lot about our children. The last time I saw Frank just acouple weeks ago, he told me how proud he was of his children. He also told me his secrets to 33 years of marriage. Over the years Frank and I talked a lot about overcoming adversity. We talked about my son’s learning disabilities and he told me about how he overcame his own challenges in learning how to read. He told me that he did not actually learn to read until he was thirty. He said one day he decided it was something important and he made a choice to overcome that obstacle in his life, and he did it.
He always went out of his way to talk to kids. My kids and all the kids we encountered. He would take the time to talk with them and honor them. Frank had a wisdom and grace about him. Over the years I felt that life was so much better by having known Frank.
When the time was right I found myself leaving Seaside and I always knew that Frank would excel and become mister Seaside if he had the opportunity. Frank became so successful that I felt like a proud parent, seeing Frank break all records and become legendary in the business. He always took the time to remind me of his appreciation for the opportunity. The truth is that we all are offered opportunities but few go for them. Most of us hesitate at those turning point moments. But Frank never hesitated. He just proved to everyone he could do it.
I really enjoyed seeing Frank and Toni a few weeks ago at a friends wedding. Frank was so funny that day. He seemed so happy. He talked about his kids and his successful marriage and his excitement about the future.
Over the years I had asked Frank to let me interview him and to do his video biography. I always thought that Frank was bigger than life. I felt he was a living heroic character in our midst. I wanted to hear his stories. Frank always had the same answer to my request. No RJ I am not ready yet. I have too many things to do yet in my life. Maybe someday down the road. I understood the way he felt. Frank was busy living and wanted to focus on the now and the bright future.
I am truly grateful to have met and known Frank Toohey. Sometimes his jokes were a little bit corny, but I always appreciated him not giving up on me or anyone. We always would laugh and smile and feel that Frank made our day. Again and again and again. He always brightened up the room and made people smile.
Frank was the funniest, most happy, luckiest guy I ever met. He alwayssaw the good in the day and he never let me down. I could always count on Frank Toohey.
RJ
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