Frank J. Voss

VOSS Frank James Frank J. Voss was born October 14, 1922, and passed away Sunday, May 6, 2007, at the Sunset House. He was a native of Reading, Pennsylvania, who graduated from Reading High School in 1940 and attended Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa on a golf scholarship. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Frank joined the US Army in 1942 and was a part of the Italian campaigns, Rome-Arno and Northern Apennines, and them moved to the Armed Forces Radio Service in Rome. He transferred to Salzburg, Austria as Entertainment Director for Armed Forces Radio. It was there he met his wife of 60 years, Jean Baillies. Jean served with the American Red Cross and was Program Director of the servicemen's club in Salzburg and supplied entertainment for the Armed Forces Radio shows. It was during a live broadcast that Frank proposed to Jean. Upon his return to civilian life, he became Chief Announce of WRAW in Reading. In 1951 he was named President and General Manager. While in Reading he was named "Outstanding Young Man of the Year, in 1955, for Berks County, PA. In 1956, Frank joined Dana Corporation and was appointed Director of Public Relations and Advertising in 1958 and Director of Marketing in 1964. He was named Vice President of Corporate Relations in May, 1973, serving in that capacity until February, 1979, when he was named Vice President of Corporate Affairs. Frank retired from Dana in 1986. Frank was elected and served as Mayor of the Village of Ottawa Hills from 1971-1975. A life long golfer, Frank served as Chairman of several National golf tournaments held at Inverness Country Club, including Chairman of the 1973 US Amateur, Chairman of the 1979 US Open, and Co-Chairman of the 1986 PGA Championship. Over the years Frank served on many local and national boards, including, Junior Achievement of Northwest Ohio, National Board of Junior Achievement, Medical College of Ohio Foundation, St. Vincent's Hospital Board, The University of Toledo Foundation, The United Way, American Red Cross, Toledo Junior Golf Association, Toledo Chamber of Commerce, The Chairman of the Toledo Convention and Visitors Bureau, Boy Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Club, The Toledo Automobile Club and member of the Executive Committee of the Lucas County Republican Party. He was a member of the Board and President of the Board of Inverness Club, who presented him with the Inverness Clock Award, for the significant contributions he made to the club. He was also a member of the Board of the Toledo Country Club. Frank also received the Burt Silverman Memorial Award and the R.A. Stranahan Award. He was well known locally and nationally as a speaker and Master of Ceremonies. His friends appreciated his quick wit and sense of humor. Frank is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean Baillies Voss; daughters, Robyn (David) Barrie and Jean Voss; grandchildren, Nick and Katie Barrie and his faithful Scottish Terrier, Calloway. He was predeceased by parents, Frank J. Voss and Marguerite James Voss Osman. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at the J. Jeffrey Fretti Funeral Home, 5045 W. Sylvania Avenue (at Corey Rd.) 419-843-1117 where prayers will be recited at 9:15 a.m. Thursday followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Gesu Church. Burial will follow in Joy Cemetery, Ottawa Hills with Military Honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Evans Scholars, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Program at MUO or the Toledo Museum of Art.