Town mourns former leader, volunteer

Smith was a member of the New Market Town Council from 1945 to 1949 before serving as mayor from 1949 to 1969. In 1969 he again became a councilman, and served until 2001. His last public position in New Market was as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Wayne Smith said when it came to his public service, his father was most proud of renovating a small park along Main Street, and often downplayed grander accomplishments.

Smith was born in Ijamsville on Aug. 4, 1914 to Clyde W. Smith and M. Virginia Smith. He moved to New Market when he was 16 years old to care for his grandfather, started raising calves in his grandfather's backyard and, worked at Mealey's Restaurant when he was a young man.

After graduating from Frederick High School, Smith started a career as a livestock dealer and became one of the largest in Frederick County. Smith was so good at his job, his son said, that even while he was recovering from a broken collarbone after a bad fall a month ago, he still sold cattle from his hospital bed. ‘‘One week he sold 80 cows,” Wayne Smith said.

Frank Smith was also involved in many civic and charitable organizations, including The Great Frederick Fair, the New Market Grange, New Market Volunteer Fire Department and Lions Club. He was also an active member of Grace Trinity United Church of Christ in Pearl, Md., where his funeral was held Monday.

‘‘He taught you ... a lot about loyalty, devotion and being charitable,” former New Market mayor Rick Fleshman said. Fleshman was Smith’s frequent companion on business trips around the county and up and down the East Coast. They would begin their trips with lunch, and then Fleshman would accompany Smith on the business of his day. When he would collect a bill, Smith would always take with him fresh fruit or vegetables, or a piece of pie for his customers. Fleshman said it was Smith’s way of ‘‘giving something to get something.”

Frank Smith was married to wife Grace for 49 years; she died in 1986. A brother, C. Gordon Smith, also preceded him in death.