SYRACUSE, NY — Frank Willard, vice president of Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting Co., Inc., passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 8, 2013. Willard, who was drawn to technical theatre as a student at Watertown, NY-based Jefferson Community College in the early 1970s, joined Syracuse Scenery in 1975 and was its representative as a founding member of the Theatrical Dealers Association (then ESTA, now PLASA). Willard also was an ETCP-certified rigger and a member of JR Clancy’s dealer advisory board.
Along with his professional pursuits, Willard was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, boating, water-skiing, playing golf and vacation travel, with Catalina Island, Maui, Key West and Kiawah Island among his favorite destinations. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Elks Club Lodge 496, Sackets Harbor Sportsman’s Club, and the YMCA of Greater Syracuse
A memorial service was held at the Elks Club Lodge 496 on Jan. 12. Willard is survived by his wife, Helen, along with in-laws and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to ESTA Foundation Behind the Scenes, Ducks Unlimited, or the YMCA.
For more information, go to:
http://obits.syracuse.com/obituaries/syracuse/obituary.aspx?pid=162274141
For online condolences, go to www.reedbenoit.com.
