Born Millis Franklin Bostic he was the second child of Harold Bostic and wife Barbaraette (Brown)with brother Harold being three years older and sister Madelyn being a year younger. When Frank was 4 years old his brother Harold died as the result of influenza. Sister Madelyn (Keffaber) passed away in January of 2018 leaving her three daughters as his only immediate relatives.
After graduating from Wabash High School in 1958 Frank decided to pursue a BS in Secondary Education intending to be a high school English teacher. Frank received his teaching degree from Peru State (Peru Nebraska) in 1963 and his master's degree from the University of Nebraska in 1968. While attending Peru Frank was one of two male cheerleaders (captain his senior year) as well as co-editor of the student newspaper. Additionally, he covered sports for the newspaper, was on the staff of Peru's yearbook and was a member of the tennis team.
Frank began his 36-year teaching career back home in Wabash Indiana. At the same time, he started coaching and would continue high school coaching (both boys and girls teams) for the next 29 years (football, basketball, golf, and tennis). Frank's teaching/coaching career also included the following; Wabash Southwood, Portage, Ben Davis schools in Indianapolis (IN), Morris (IL), and the various campuses of the Niles (IL) township district 219. He retired from coaching in 1992. In 1998 Frank received the David Zemsky award also known as the Distinguished Teacher Award. The award is given to a teacher selected by parents, staff and students who constantly goes beyond the call of duty in helping his/her students. Frank was the first Special Education teacher to ever receive the Award. The following year Frank retired from Niles West high school.
Teaching and coaching were in Frank's blood and not just in the high school environment. When he moved to the Chicago area, Frank became active in the gay sports community. In 1979 he was one of the founders of the Windy City Athletic Association (WCAA, today CMSA). He was the league commissioner in 1981 and was a player-coach on many softball teams over the following 20 years. When softball season ended, Frank would switch to forming bowling teams. Frank enjoyed team sports and I think he saw each team as a big family learning and playing together. Frank liked winning but that was not the most important thing. He placed teamwork and effort above winning and if you were not having fun then something was wrong.
Not long after retiring Frank moved to Florida (maybe to avoid snow OR maybe to have a longer softball season). In Florida playing/coaching softball would be continue and eventually just coaching. For all of his contributions to gay softball he was inducted into NGAAA Hall of Fame (2001) as well as SFAAA Hall of fame (2007).
In his final years Frank had to deal with health issues (Parkinson's as well as Neuropathy) that required him to step away from a lifetime of coaching and cherished teammates. Fortunately, it was about this time that Frank made a new friend. Someone that would comfort and care for him like no one ever had before and was with him in hospice when he passed away nine days after his 81st birthday. Frank was forever grateful for his friend Aldecy!
After graduating from Wabash High School in 1958 Frank decided to pursue a BS in Secondary Education intending to be a high school English teacher. Frank received his teaching degree from Peru State (Peru Nebraska) in 1963 and his master's degree from the University of Nebraska in 1968. While attending Peru Frank was one of two male cheerleaders (captain his senior year) as well as co-editor of the student newspaper. Additionally, he covered sports for the newspaper, was on the staff of Peru's yearbook and was a member of the tennis team.
Frank began his 36-year teaching career back home in Wabash Indiana. At the same time, he started coaching and would continue high school coaching (both boys and girls teams) for the next 29 years (football, basketball, golf, and tennis). Frank's teaching/coaching career also included the following; Wabash Southwood, Portage, Ben Davis schools in Indianapolis (IN), Morris (IL), and the various campuses of the Niles (IL) township district 219. He retired from coaching in 1992. In 1998 Frank received the David Zemsky award also known as the Distinguished Teacher Award. The award is given to a teacher selected by parents, staff and students who constantly goes beyond the call of duty in helping his/her students. Frank was the first Special Education teacher to ever receive the Award. The following year Frank retired from Niles West high school.
Teaching and coaching were in Frank's blood and not just in the high school environment. When he moved to the Chicago area, Frank became active in the gay sports community. In 1979 he was one of the founders of the Windy City Athletic Association (WCAA, today CMSA). He was the league commissioner in 1981 and was a player-coach on many softball teams over the following 20 years. When softball season ended, Frank would switch to forming bowling teams. Frank enjoyed team sports and I think he saw each team as a big family learning and playing together. Frank liked winning but that was not the most important thing. He placed teamwork and effort above winning and if you were not having fun then something was wrong.
Not long after retiring Frank moved to Florida (maybe to avoid snow OR maybe to have a longer softball season). In Florida playing/coaching softball would be continue and eventually just coaching. For all of his contributions to gay softball he was inducted into NGAAA Hall of Fame (2001) as well as SFAAA Hall of fame (2007).
In his final years Frank had to deal with health issues (Parkinson's as well as Neuropathy) that required him to step away from a lifetime of coaching and cherished teammates. Fortunately, it was about this time that Frank made a new friend. Someone that would comfort and care for him like no one ever had before and was with him in hospice when he passed away nine days after his 81st birthday. Frank was forever grateful for his friend Aldecy!
Born Millis Franklin Bostic he was the second child of Harold Bostic and wife Barbaraette (Brown)with brother Harold being three years older and sister Madelyn being a year younger. When Frank was 4 years old his brother Harold died as the result of influenza. Sister Madelyn (Keffaber) passed away in January of 2018 leaving her three daughters as his only immediate relatives.
After graduating from Wabash High School in 1958 Frank decided to pursue a BS in Secondary Education intending to be a high school English teacher. Frank received his teaching degree from Peru State (Peru Nebraska) in 1963 and his master's degree from the University of Nebraska in 1968. While attending Peru Frank was one of two male cheerleaders (captain his senior year) as well as co-editor of the student newspaper. Additionally, he covered sports for the newspaper, was on the staff of Peru's yearbook and was a member of the tennis team.
Frank began his 36-year teaching career back home in Wabash Indiana. At the same time, he started coaching and would continue high school coaching (both boys and girls teams) for the next 29 years (football, basketball, golf, and tennis). Frank's teaching/coaching career also included the following; Wabash Southwood, Portage, Ben Davis schools in Indianapolis (IN), Morris (IL), and the various campuses of the Niles (IL) township district 219. He retired from coaching in 1992. In 1998 Frank received the David Zemsky award also known as the Distinguished Teacher Award. The award is given to a teacher selected by parents, staff and students who constantly goes beyond the call of duty in helping his/her students. Frank was the first Special Education teacher to ever receive the Award. The following year Frank retired from Niles West high school.
Teaching and coaching were in Frank's blood and not just in the high school environment. When he moved to the Chicago area, Frank became active in the gay sports community. In 1979 he was one of the founders of the Windy City Athletic Association (WCAA, today CMSA). He was the league commissioner in 1981 and was a player-coach on many softball teams over the following 20 years. When softball season ended, Frank would switch to forming bowling teams. Frank enjoyed team sports and I think he saw each team as a big family learning and playing together. Frank liked winning but that was not the most important thing. He placed teamwork and effort above winning and if you were not having fun then something was wrong.
Not long after retiring Frank moved to Florida (maybe to avoid snow OR maybe to have a longer softball season). In Florida playing/coaching softball would be continue and eventually just coaching. For all of his contributions to gay softball he was inducted into NGAAA Hall of Fame (2001) as well as SFAAA Hall of fame (2007).
In his final years Frank had to deal with health issues (Parkinson's as well as Neuropathy) that required him to step away from a lifetime of coaching and cherished teammates. Fortunately, it was about this time that Frank made a new friend. Someone that would comfort and care for him like no one ever had before and was with him in hospice when he passed away nine days after his 81st birthday. Frank was forever grateful for his friend Aldecy!
After graduating from Wabash High School in 1958 Frank decided to pursue a BS in Secondary Education intending to be a high school English teacher. Frank received his teaching degree from Peru State (Peru Nebraska) in 1963 and his master's degree from the University of Nebraska in 1968. While attending Peru Frank was one of two male cheerleaders (captain his senior year) as well as co-editor of the student newspaper. Additionally, he covered sports for the newspaper, was on the staff of Peru's yearbook and was a member of the tennis team.
Frank began his 36-year teaching career back home in Wabash Indiana. At the same time, he started coaching and would continue high school coaching (both boys and girls teams) for the next 29 years (football, basketball, golf, and tennis). Frank's teaching/coaching career also included the following; Wabash Southwood, Portage, Ben Davis schools in Indianapolis (IN), Morris (IL), and the various campuses of the Niles (IL) township district 219. He retired from coaching in 1992. In 1998 Frank received the David Zemsky award also known as the Distinguished Teacher Award. The award is given to a teacher selected by parents, staff and students who constantly goes beyond the call of duty in helping his/her students. Frank was the first Special Education teacher to ever receive the Award. The following year Frank retired from Niles West high school.
Teaching and coaching were in Frank's blood and not just in the high school environment. When he moved to the Chicago area, Frank became active in the gay sports community. In 1979 he was one of the founders of the Windy City Athletic Association (WCAA, today CMSA). He was the league commissioner in 1981 and was a player-coach on many softball teams over the following 20 years. When softball season ended, Frank would switch to forming bowling teams. Frank enjoyed team sports and I think he saw each team as a big family learning and playing together. Frank liked winning but that was not the most important thing. He placed teamwork and effort above winning and if you were not having fun then something was wrong.
Not long after retiring Frank moved to Florida (maybe to avoid snow OR maybe to have a longer softball season). In Florida playing/coaching softball would be continue and eventually just coaching. For all of his contributions to gay softball he was inducted into NGAAA Hall of Fame (2001) as well as SFAAA Hall of fame (2007).
In his final years Frank had to deal with health issues (Parkinson's as well as Neuropathy) that required him to step away from a lifetime of coaching and cherished teammates. Fortunately, it was about this time that Frank made a new friend. Someone that would comfort and care for him like no one ever had before and was with him in hospice when he passed away nine days after his 81st birthday. Frank was forever grateful for his friend Aldecy!
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