Does anyone remember "The Walker"
on South Orange Avenue? He was like an icon.
He was a short man around 5'4" with a modest build. He never
wore a hat and walked in all types of weather. He would walk to
and from Downtown everyday. In his younger years he lived on Pine
Grove Terrace. At that time he worked for the Prudential Insurance
Company. A rolled up newspaper was either in his left hand or his
back pocket. He did this for more years than I can remember.
As a young man I was always impressed by his endurance and fortitude.
He was a very friendly man and always had a ready smile. A friendly
toot from my car's horn would generate a big wave plus an acceleration
in his gait.
I met him personally around 10 years ago, shortly before he died.
At that time he was living in South Orange. He appeared to be in
his seventies. His name was Frank and I learned that he was a boxer
in his youth. He was a very nice man. He was always very pleasant
and seldom without a smile. He never wore a hat no matter how inclement
the weather.
Few of us will be remembered after our demise. Fewer still as
Icons. Frank was an Icon.
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