Frank Willard, of Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting, is Dead at 58

	Frank Willard

Lighting&Sound America has learned the sad news of the death of Frank Willard, of Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting Co., and the husband of Helen Willard, PLASA Events sales executive. He had been hospitalized on January 7 with a gallstone problem and was scheduled for surgery later in the week to remove his gallbladder. During the evening of January 8, he had a fatal heart attack.

Willard was born and raised in Watertown, New York, graduated from Immaculate Heart Central High School, and attended Jefferson Community College. In August 1975, he took a job as an installer at Syracuse Scenery and nine years later became the company's vice president, a position he held at the time of his death.

Willard, who was among the first group of folk to become an ETCP Certified Rigger, worked with architects and engineers to provide theatrical technical expertise in rigging, lighting, curtains, and tracks; performed rigging inspections; worked with the company's project managers and installation staff.

According to a statement from Syracuse Stage, "Frank was an avid outdoorsman and spent any time possible hunting. He also reveled in visiting as many brew pubs as he could and was especially fond of USITT Conference meetings in Long Beach so he could visit the Yard House. Frank provided untold hours for many years assisting his wife Helen, then USITT Stage Expo Manager, with Stage Expo layouts, load-ins, and load-outs."

Willard was the company's representative as a founding member of TDA -- Theatrical Dealers Association (then ESTA, now PLASA). He also served on the J.R. Clancy, Inc. dealer advisory committee.

The statement from Syracuse Stage continues, "Our company, Helen, and Frank's family will greatly miss this vital personality, and we will all continue to be glad that he was a part of our lives, even though he was taken from us far too early."

Trey Allen, president of James Thomas Engineering, said, "Frank Willard had so much knowledge of the entertainment business, and such skills in working with all types of people. From the first time I met him, he treated me like a longtime associate. Frank had a level of class that I would love to replicate in my own walk on this earth. He will be greatly missed."

Bill Sapsis, of Sapsis Rigging, said, "I first met Frank at a USITT Conference back in the early '80s. We were in a brew pub comparing notes on the local beers. Over the years, we competed against each other on many rigging projects. Win or lose, there was never a bad word between us. He was a gentleman, a colleague, and a good friend. The industry has lost one of its truly good guys, and he will be greatly missed."

A celebration of Willard's life will be held 12 noon, Saturday, January 12, at the Watertown Elks Lodge 496, 728 Bradley St., Watertown, New York.

Helen Willard can be contacted at 8251 Middle Road, Dexter, NY 13634. Donations in Frank's name can be made to The ESTA Foundation's Behind the Scenes, Ducks Unlimited, or the YMCA.