Frank Saylor: A Renaissance man with a 'firecracker' personality
DAVIDSVILLE — Franklin "Frank" Saylor was the definition of a Renaissance man with his involvement in business and the community. But to family and friends, he was more than that. He was "a real firecracker" up until the day he died.
He was not only a gifted man, but one who was kind and knowledgeable, according to family and friends.
He also was humble, they said.
Saylor never met a stranger and was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone in need, his family said in his obituary.
He was known for giving folded bow ties or Christmas trees made from dollar bills. Frank’s mechanical mind was respected worldwide. He moved his house with a washing machine motor.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Frank Saylor...A very gifted man who I will miss!” said Bill Harris, a longtime friend.
Saylor died at 90 years old in an accident.
Harris and Saylor shared an interest in farm tractors. In fact, they worked on old tractors together.
“Frank collected tractors and models of tractors. When he was showing me his collection of models we came across a 1938 Allis-Chalmers B which I have and he gave me the model of it which I will always cherish,” Harris said.
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Saylor died Aug. 3 at Good Sam Department of Conemaugh Medical Center. He was born July 4, 1933, in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County.
Leona Pearl (Mack) and Frank were married for 66 years and had five children: Jacqueline D. (William) Kulback, Sherri L. (Carl) Myers, Gary D. (Janet) Saylor, Roxann (George) Guaetta and Lydia (Peter) Thomas. They had 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was the brother of Nancy Shaffer and Roberta Bowman; and brother-in-law to Betty Saylor.
He is a direct descendant of Joseph Johns (Schantz), considered a founder of Johnstown and the region’s first urban planner.
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The Davidsville resident retired as vice president of manufacturing at EMGLO, which began in Somerset County and later was relocated to Cambria County. He owned Saylor Industries. Besides tractors and lawnmowers, he was a mechanical wizard with air compressors and hydraulics.
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A 56-year member of Somerset Masonic Lodge 358 and a Korean Army veteran, Saylor remained strong and active until his recent accident.
Friends and family can be received between 3 and 7 p.m. at Harris Funeral Home, 500 Cherry Lane, Richland, where a funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Wes Yoder will officiate. Interment with military rites will be held at Kaufman Cemetery in Davidsville.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Renaissance man Frank Saylor dies in accident
