Longtime Thoroughbred Daily News team member Franklin Cummings died Friday after a brief illness. He was 74 years old. Known as the TDN transportation secretary for generations of employees, Cummings started his career at the company as a driver in the early 1980s at Executive Bloodstock and served the TDN family for over 30 years. A former driver for the Peter Pan bus company, Cummings was born June 14, 1943 in Fulton, Mississippi.
“He was the biggest, warmest person anyone ever met,” said Barry Weisbord. “Everywhere he went, he made friends and people said what a gentlemen he was. He was loyal to the company, to me, and to my family.”
“For years, Franklin was my family's regular ride to the airport for business trips and vacations,” said Sue Finley. “As he sped along at 80 miles-per-hour, never once getting a ticket, I loved listening to his observations about humanity. When Newark Airport underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation to redo the entrance ramps, ending with almost exactly what they had started with, Franklin would drive up to the airport and muse that the person behind the project would never have to work again after such a massive public scam. `Whoever came up with this idea is sitting down right now,' he'd say. I never once saw him in a bad mood, and he ended virtually every sentence he ever uttered with a gigantic laugh.'”
Cummings enjoyed traveling, with Alaska, Hawaii and Scottsdale, Arizona among his favorite destinations. He is survived by four siblings: Clytee Miller, Chalmers (Anne Lou) Cummings, Jr., Agnew (Ester) Cummings, and Agnes Lee. Frank is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who loved him dearly. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 25, at Central Baptist Church, 166 W 92nd St., New York, New York. The viewing will be at 10:30 a.m., with the service to follow at 11:30 a.m.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
