Close to 150 friends got together at the Sons of Italy Lodge in Methuen on March 31st to pay tribute to Frank Benjamin.
Frank has been a fixture in local sports for the past 60 years – maybe more! He has been active as a player, coach, radio personality and observer. For many years he worked at WCCM and WCGY narrating sports and promoting sporting events in the area. For the past 15 years he has been a columnist for Rumbo and although he is finally retired, he is planning to continue writing his memoirs for us.
Several friends arranged for this “Let’s Roast Mr. B” and it turned out to be a memorable evening for those in attendance, childhood friends and most of them featured in his writings through the years.
It turned out to be a magical night for Frank Benjamin!
During the weeks preceding this gathering, Frank wondered (jokingly) if anyone would show up and that was a joke heard over and over.
Paul Seccareccio, who came from Florida specifically for the Roast, said, “I didn’t know there were this many people not pissed off at you!” He also said that Frank would carry a grouch forever if he didn’t like someone. But over and over, the comments of being a good man, that so many children were helped by his efforts, were repeated by his friends.
“He is opinionated, conceited, in love with himself, he puts on a tough persona, but he’s a good man,” Dick Reming said of his friend. “He was an inspiration to young people and you always knew where you stood with Frankie.”
Dave Fazio, Andover High School Coach brought his own props. He talked about how Mr. B loved giving away sweatshirts with the lettering on the back “Player of the Night” and he was anxious to get one at some point and never did. Well, for this night, he made up his own shirt and proudly wore it for everyone to see. To that, Mr. B responded that he used to wear a bone on his neck so dogs would hang around with him.
Dan Roche of WBZ-TV Sports said that people were there under threat, they were coerced into being there… or else. “When he dies – 25 years from now – even more people will show up afraid that he’ll pop out of the casket,” he said. “I learned from Frankie what not to do in life. Look at all the coaches here tonight; it’s all about local sports.”
Kevin Drouin, who boxed in six World Championships reminisced about his younger years with Frank.
John Mele said some things most people have not heard about Frank. He is the social butterfly at all sporting events. He would go around saluting everyone and even listening to their problems and requests and the games wouldn’t start until he was done talking to everyone. “He always had his own chair at the scoring tables,” Mele added.
Frankie was touched seeing so many old friends come together for him.
The dinner proceeds were to benefit the Canal Street Boxing Gym, a place that he so admires for the work they do with young people in the city. Also, copies of his book were available with 100% of the proceeds going to the Gym. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Mr. B’s Sports Memories, contact José “Bugzy” Martinez at (978) 747-6558 or Frank Benjamin.
