Frank Vos

FRANK VOS, died on Monday, April 19, 2010 at The Nathaniel Witherell nursing home in Greenwich. He was 90 years old. Born in New York City on December 1, 1919, the son of George and Anna Vos, he grew up in New Rochelle, NY and graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1936. From there he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In World War II he served in the U.S. Army as an Infantry First Lieutenant during the campaign in Italy, where he earned a Bronze Star. In 1951 he married Mary Catherine (Cadie) Dempsey and they had three children: George, Patricia and Julie. Frank and Cadie have been residents of Stamford, since 1953. Widely regarded as a ground-breaking innovator in the direct marketing industry, he founded Frank Vos & Co. in 1957, a direct marketing advertising agency on Madison Avenue in New York City. Frank was a titan of the direct mail industry. He chaired Direct Marketing Day in New York and in 1985 received the Silver Apple Award by the Direct Marketing Club of New York for his longtime contribution to the industry. In 1986 Frank sold his company to The Interpublic Group and he enrolled at Columbia University, earning a B.A and an M.A. in American History. He was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He wrote articles for the Encyclopedia of the City of New York and was a roundtable speaker at the Aspen Institute. An avid skier and sail boat racer, he was also a licensed pilot for twin engine aircraft and held his instrument rating. He also held a license to operate gliders. An active member of The Lotos Club in New York City since 1958, he held various key committee positions through the decades. He is survived by Cadie, his wife of 58 years, his brother Eugene Vos; his son George Vos, his daughter Julie Lindsey and five grandchildren: Ellis and Mary Lindsey, and Kate, Julia and Connor Vos. A private memorial service is planned. Contributions may be made to The Friends of Nathaniel Witherell, Inc., 70 Parsonage Road, Greenwich, CT 06830.