[img_assist|nid=341190|title=Frank White|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=250|height=328]

BY LINDA CASSERLY
Canton Historian

CANTON – Summertime is just around the corner with towns and villages opening up with events, music and a time to enjoy all the outdoor events throughout St. Lawrence County.

The Canton Historian will be opening up the doors to the new location at 7 Main Street of the Canton Historical Collection on Tuesday, June 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. for a summer Open House. We will also be celebrating Frank White, who will be celebrating his 105th birthday.

During the hours of the open house, Dennis Barr contributed a large screen monitor and there will be photos going all day including some glass plate negatives and other photos through the years.

Frank was born on January 13, 1918, at the beginning of the deadliest flue ever in the history of our country. He grew up on a farm in the Pyrites area. His ancestry is French-Canadian, tracing back to some of the first men, Voyageurs, who settled in Canada, in what is now Quebec.

He served in the CCC (Civil Conservation Corp) in 1940s for two years and again in the Army during WWII. He graduated from Canton’s “Aggie School.” when it was part of the St. Lawrence Campus. Frank then started his own florist business on Miner Street, that is still thriving today. There are very few days that Frank does not stop by the shop and visit with owners, Mike and Brenda Snow, and their employees.

After retiring in 1984, he took up model making, starting with kits of famous vessels like the Halfmoon, and the Constitution. He’s taken top honors at international model boat building and his models are on display in the Canton Collection and one hangs in SUNY Canton and St. Lawrence University.

Frank was one of the original paddlers in the first May 20, 1962 Rushton race. He paddled with the likes of Dwight P. and David Church, Philip McMaster, Ernie Locke Jr. & son Ernie III, Reggie Liscum, Mike Maroney and Jack Townsend. The 1967 first women’s team of Judith Liscum and Linda Townsend took first in that category.

Frank liked boats and wood, especially working with his hands. He has loaned to the Canton collection eighteen models and an album that has photos of his work.

How can you explain a man of his age and his zest for life except through his stories, his love of the outdoors, nature and the rivers of this country.

Frank is a humble man and shies away from acknowledging his many talents, especially when it comes to his work ethic and career. There is not a day that goes by that Frank does not do some sort of exercise routine, biking, walking, hiking or paddling the Grasse River. His knowledge of canoeing and his relationship with Dwight P. Church was an inspiration for him and kept him going through his life.

Throughout all his years with his wife Beulah Crossman White by his side, and his late son Gary, canoeing was his passion.

“I hope we will see many on June 13th, to wish Frank a very Happy Birthday and a look through the Collection. There will be appetizers, cake and juices.”

“If you see Frank out and about, wish him a Happy Birthday next Tuesday. And you can talk history about Dwight Church, the Grasse River, the mines up along the Miner Street Road and Canton’s Island businesses. His mind is like a history book and he enjoys recalling those days back when life was full of hard and work and rewarding. Happy Birthday dear friend and mentor.”