George Clinton Frantz

George C. “Tock” Frantz

George Clinton Frantz was born Mar 23, 1945, in Summit, NJ, and died Feb 2 at home with his family in Lancaster. He was raised with respect for integrity and individuality, and with great affection, by Eleanor and George Frantz. He became a man who was kind and judicious, loving and himself loved by many.

Surviving him are: his wife, Ann; his son, Adam Frantz; his daughter, Fagan Forhan and her husband TJ Forhan, and his two beloved grandchildren, Riley and Shelby Forhan, all of Lancaster; and his sister, Mary Phillips, of Arizona. “Tock” also leaves beloved nephews, nieces, and cousins, along with many good friends he considered the “family you choose for yourself.”

In his youth, he spent time outdoors with his dad, hunting and learning about nature and observing the ways of the world, identifying animal tracks and perfecting his crow sounds. This was a passion and understanding he would later share avidly with his children. From his mother, he brought forward a love of music and Christmas. In 1972, he married Ann Connery, arriving in South Dakota to begin their married life together on the day of the June 9 Rapid City flood, losing nearly everything they had. Rebuilding together, they established a life rich with love and community.

For the last 35 years, the family has lived in Lancaster. Prior to that, they lived in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where he worked with S&S Concrete Co., then Job Corps in Nemo, SD, through the US Forest Service. In his time there, he contributed significantly to social justice work on behalf of Native Americans, a cause he would support across the span of his career. George held a BS in foreign service from Georgetown University and later forged a new career in environmental work with an MS in civil engineering from Tufts University. George championed smart environmental preservation and protection during his career with Printing Industries of New England, the MA Office of Technical Assistance and the US Environmental Protection Agency in Boston. He was proud of his work with Native American tribes and with small business industries in New England.

George was the kind of person who attracted and held friendships across the decades because of his kindness, leadership and character. He also actively worked to bridge understanding across areas of difference among others. George loved the community of Lancaster, and the First Church, and dedicated his retirement to serving on multiple church committees, and recently, on the Lancaster Planning Board. He taught church members to create his Dakota Dixie Chili, a favorite of so many, for the Horseshed Fair. His interests included nature, social justice causes, antiquing, the Black Hills, motorcycles and unusual cars, and underneath and alongside everything, the Grateful Dead.

The family thanks all who generously helped them through this time. Their kindness made a terrible battle with cancer easier to bear. A celebration of life for George Clinton Frantz, “Tock” to family and friends, will be held at 2 PM, Sunday, Feb 15 in First Church of Christ Unitarian, Lancaster MA. All are invited.