There’s one thing in life I’m sure of — it’s that Fred Franklin never met a guy, or a gal he didn’t like.

Sound familiar? My dad, Yolande’s grandfathe, passed away at the ridiculously young age of 53, and has never once left our hearts, mind or presence. Just like Will Rogers, a character he loved performing on stage, he never met a man he didn’t like.

Fred, or “Freddie”, to his mother Patricia, was a born performer, a ham, the life of the party - talented both in business and play. My dad was also as kind as they come, a trait he undoubtedly picked up from his father, Chuck. But make no mistake - Fred was also a sarcastic, biting, funny dude, trading inside (and often dirty) jokes with his many besties - most notably Greg (Uncle Ray Ray), Bill Barron and Joe Barnett. He was our peacemaker, our voice of reason, the yin to my mom’s yang.

To Carrie and me, he was Dad - quick to play the endless game of “put my face in your hand”, answering the phone with his nasalry “Yellooow?” and clocking us in at the Wednesday night swim meets.

I’m very excited for Yolande Freddie to share her name with this man who would have been the most unbelievable grandfather. Thanks for providing the best foundation for her to thrive, live and love.