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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE LIFE OF FRANK WILFRED McCOY
______
HON. AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN
of american samoa
in the house of representatives
Monday, April 29, 2019
Mrs. RADEWAGEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of
Frank Wilfred McCoy, a friend, a business leader in American Samoa, and
a beloved family man. His family wrote the following tribute to his
life and memory:
``Frank Wilfred McCoy, 71, left us after a battle with
pancreatic cancer on February 5th, 2019, surrounded by
family. Born on April 7th, 1947 in Utulei, American Samoa to
Marie Henrietta Wulf, he is survived by his loving wife,
Edith Iliganoa, children Judith Lynn McCoy, Jessica Liz
Lafaele, Janice Laumata Pele, Frank Wilfred Jr., and Douglas
Aloysious, siblings Grace Laumata Allen, Mary Horne, Ernest
Bernard, and 19 grandchildren.
Frank attended Marist Brothers Elementary in Atu'u,
American Samoa, and Long Beach Polytechnic High School in
Long Beach, CA. He returned home to the islands in 1970 to
work for Van Camp Seafoods where he met Edith. They were
married on June 16, 1970, and set off once more for
California. Frank worked several years with Thums Oil Company
on oil rigs, in the oil fields, and the Catalina Islands. He
also owned a lawnmower repair shop, McCoy's Lawnmower Shop on
Norwalk Boulevard in Hawaiian Gardens.
In 1977, Frank, Edith, and family moved back to American
Samoa. After a stint with Southwest Marine Railways and a few
years as a commercial fisherman, Frank started up Harbor
Refuse & Environmental Services, Inc. (HRES Inc.) in 1985 and
provided hazardous waste response and clean-up and debris
removal from the Pago Pago Harbor. HRES Inc. was a Coast
Guard BOA contractor and the only Mobile Waste Oil Reception
Facility for many years. He was also deputized as an officer
by the Department of Public Safety--Marine Patrol Division.
In 2001, Frank fulfilled his lifelong love of fishing and
started two additional companies: Northwest Fisheries and
McCoy's Icehouse. Northwest Fisheries consisted of two
longline fishing vessels, F/V Northwest and F/V Ali B, and
one bottom fishing/trolling vessel, F/V Leilani. He captained
the voyages to bring the F/V Northwest and F/V Ali B from
Washington and Hawaii to American Samoa, respectively.
McCoy's Icehouse provided retail and commercial ice to local
stores and fisheries.
Frank was an influential leader and contributor to the
local fishery management programs, including the Department
of Marine & Wildlife Resources training programs as well as
the Sea Grant program. He also served the larger Pacific
fishery community through his years of service with the
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council. He was an active
member from 1978 to 2007, and held several posts--most
notably as Chairman in 2006, and Council Vice-Chair in 2004
and 2005. He also Served as a member of the Council's
Advisory Panel as Vice-Chair and Pelagic Advisory Panel Chair
in 2008.
In 2013, Frank and Edith moved to Gorman, TX, and built a
cabin out in the country. He relished living `off the grid',
and built the cabin to be self-sustaining with its own power
and water systems. His pond was his pride and joy, and he
spent many hours during the dry season dredging it and
preparing it to be stocked.
Frank was a man of the highest character, integrity, and
spirit, and he was living proof of the indomitable spirit of
man. He brought his dreams to life, time and time again. He
was truly a force of nature in his own right, and he touched
the lives of countless people with his love, laughter, and
light.
His memory lives on and burns brightly in each and every
one of us whose life he impacted.
Rest in peace and love Dad, you are always in our hearts!''
Thank you (Soifua).
____________________