Community continues to keep late judge at heart
Trending
EAST LIVERPOOL - During a tribute to the late Judge Dominic Frank, Lisbon-based attorney Peter Horvath said, "no one wants to forget Dominic Frank."
Horvath was one of many of the friends, family and colleagues who came to remember Frank during the tribute which, due to Frank's appreciation for the local art scene and enthusiastic attitude for police charities, also served as an art show and fundraiser for one of Frank's favorite charities, Cops and Kids.
Frank, who passed away on Jan. 22, 2022, at the age of 64 from COVID-19 related pneumonia, was in addition to being a judge for the East Liverpool Municipal Court, a former attorney and former police officer with the St. Clair Township Police Department.
The tribute, held Thursday at the Museum of Ceramics in East Liverpool, a city Frank loved, featured on display the works of many local artists and a Chinese Auction with donated gift baskets which raised $1,020 for Fraternal Order of the Police Lodge 210's Cops and Kids program.
"Dominic had a love for the arts community in East Liverpool and all that was going on with that, so the art is appropriate. Also he loved his police department, so the fundraiser is also appropriate," Sheri Liebschner, artist and event organizer, said. "This is a wonderful night to remember Dom."
Artists who had their work on display during the tribute included Barrie Smith Archer, Elizabeth Babb, Brad Cowsert, Nancy Hawkins, Rebecca Hawkins, Tazio Hilbert, Sheri Liebschner, Ruth March, Lora Russell, Paula Smith, Vito Weeda and Craig Wetzel.
During the event an oil painting portrait of Frank painted by Liebschner as a gift commissioned by his fiancee Hoi Wah for his father Rudy Frank was on display.
Horvath, who said he was a fan of Frank's and as an attorney had the pleasure of being in Frank's court, described Frank as an impressive guy whose shirts were always starched with classy cufflinks and who had a dramatic signature and everyone liked being around him. He and Frank always enjoyed talking about their families.
"This was a great idea," Horvath said of the tribute. "Everybody is talking about Dominic and sharing stories and we are all remembering Dominic. I think the city, the people, the Bar Association, the political community, his friends and family want to continue to honor his name. He is just a hard person to forget, and people are trying hard to remember and commemorate him. Because of the kind of person he was, this is not a sad event."
Horvath noted that Dominic was a huge fan of East Liverpool and had big plans for the city and feels it's a shame he didn't live long enough to see those plans come to fruition.
Liebschner, who is also an attorney, recalled having a jury trial with Frank in which she was sitting at the prosecutor's table while he questioned a witness with the jury watching him. She said when she took the case, she was confident about it, but sitting in court, she thought to herself she was going to lose the case. She was sure she was going to lose it because she had too many women on the jury, and she was up against a good-looking former police officer. She did lose the case, but that wasn't the reason why, she said.
"I miss Dominic very much. He was a good friend," Liebschner said. "People just loved him. He was a nice person."
Frank's son Jayce thanked everyone for attending and showing their support.
"If you guys knew my dad, he would love this. Right now, he is posted up in a museum and although he looks great, he would tell you that he's looked better," Jayce said of the portrait on display.
Attorney Charley Kidder said that no one would love this more than Frank. He described Frank as having the biggest heart of anyone he knew.
"With what is happening here tonight and seeing the man that Jayce has become, there's no way he wouldn't have started crying," Kidder said.
"He's got his family and all of his friends here. We all came to East Liverpool because we all know he loved East Liverpool," Kidder added. "Most importantly you are raising money for a charity that involves children and that is something from the time I've known Dom was near and dear to his heart. If he was here, he would be the first one to thank you."
Kidder wished to express thanks for everyone who attended and for all the donations on behalf of Frank.
Wah said that it has been difficult for everyone because the love they have for Frank is very deep.
"However, this year, I feel we should try to concentrate on the positive and carry on his legacy and do things he believed was good for the community," Wah said.
Wah expressed her appreciation for everyone coming to the tribute and said the gathering was based on love for Frank.
Rick and Lori Tenney were neighbors to Frank. Lori's parents lived next door to him for years and then she and Rick moved into the house after they passed.
"We miss him a lot. He was a good neighbor and I think this is a great tribute to him," Lori said. "He would have loved it. He was very community oriented."
Rick recalled how whenever the couple was out doing yardwork Frank would come out and join them.
"I had to laugh because we powerwashed our house last summer and I told my husband it's weird because he poweredwashed the law office every year and the driveway," Lori said.
Lori recalled how he would always wear a raincoat and hat while he powerwashed and how she laughed at him one time and asked him what he was doing.
Lori said he turned off the pressure washer and told her he hated getting soaked, so he would be wearing shorts and a tank top with a raincoat and hat, so he didn't get wet.
"It was silly things like that," Lori said. "He was a good guy."
Liebschner said that Frank will forever be remembered in the community for his kindness to many.
kgarabrandt@gmail.com