Frank Link Obituary

Frank A. Link

May 11, 1930 - Feb 1, 2023

Sandusky

Frank A. Link, 92, of Sandusky, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, at The Meadows at Osborn Park after a blessed and rewarding life.

He was born May 11, 1930, in Sandusky, to Frank and Ameila (Singler) Link.

Frank graduated Salutatorian from St. Mary's High School in 1948 and received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1952 from University of Notre Dame, where he worked as managing editor of The Dome yearbook. After graduating from Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island in Dec. 1952, he proudly served his country as an executive officer in U.S. Navy at Great Lakes Naval Training Center through 1955. He spent a year in a management training program at General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan, and worked for more than 13 years in Personnel & Administration for Aluminum and Magnesium, Inc. (later Vulcan Materials Co.). The highlight of Frank's career came when he was hired as City Manager for City of Sandusky in 1971, retiring in 1993 after over 21 years.

Frank's life was defined by his extraordinary dedication to family, faith, community service, and civic engagement. He was a life-long member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, former member of Knights of Columbus, Catholic High School Athletic Federation, Sandusky Jaycees, Sandusky Lions Club, and Rotary Club of Sandusky. Spanning his seven-plus decades of service, he had a wide variety of leadership positions and key roles, including Executive Director of Miss Ohio Pageant, Chairman of Diocesan Review Board and Court of Equity for Catholic Diocese of Toledo, President of Sandusky/Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau (Lake Erie Shores & Islands), Campaign Chairman and Board President of United Fund of Erie County, President of St. Mary's School Advisory Board, Chairman of SMCC/SCCS Education Foundation, Vice Chairman of Sandusky Sesquicentennial Committee, Charter Organizer of Sandusky Bay Festival, Co-Chairman of Sisters of Notre Dame FamilyFest, Co-Chairman of SMCC Winter Carnival, President of St. Mary's Parish Council, Secretary of Jaycees' Junior Olympics Committee, Co-Chairman of Erie County Heart Fund Drive, and board member of Sandusky Safety Council, Erie County Chapter of American Red Cross, Heart Association of Northeastern Ohio/Erie County Branch, Erie County Mental Health Association, and Sandusky Area Chamber of Commerce.

Always looking for ways to improve and advance his community, Frank was instrumental in creating Greater Erie Marketing group (GEM) and Leadership Enrichment and Development Sandusky (LEADS/Leadership Erie County) programs and served on Board of Directors of both organizations for several years.

In recognition of his commitment to service, he was named 1963 Outstanding Officer, 1964 Young Man of the Year, and 1965 Outstanding Young Man by Sandusky Jaycees. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. Frank received a special award from Erie County Chamber of Commerce in 1993 and the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. In 2000, his contributions to Catholic education and his alma mater were recognized with a C.Y.B.E.R. Award. Frank was inducted into Sandusky St. Mary's Central Catholic Hall of Fame in 2003 in the category of Community Service. Frank was extremely honored in May, 2011, to receive Benemerenti Medal from Pope Benedict XVI for his many years of dedication to the Catholic Church and Diocese of Toledo.

Frank enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, puzzles, Notre Dame football, and watching Cleveland Indians games. In his youth, Frank also participated on several championship community recreation softball and volleyball leagues.

Frank is survived by his wife, Susan, whom he married Sept. 9, 1961; daughter, Jennifer (John) Lippus of Sandusky; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his sisters, Dorothy "Dort" Burtch and Jeanne Weyer; brothers, Larry, Francis "Bud," and David; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, at Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Ave., Sandusky, with Frank's nephew, the Rev. Monsignor Charles E. Singler, D. Min., presiding. A special funeral procession route is planned to pass by the city buildings and through the community that Frank cherished so deeply. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery with military honors.

Frank's family wishes to sincerely thank the wonderful staff at The Meadows at Osborn Park for their incredible care, compassion, and kindness over the past year.

Those wishing to contribute to Frank's memory may do so to Sandusky Central Catholic Schools, 410 West Jefferson St., Humane Society of Erie County, 1911 Superior St., or Boys & Girls Clubs, 135 E. Washington Row.

Condolences may be shared online at toftfuneralhome.com.