Sad news to report. BATB has learned that longtime Maryland State Athletic Commission Inspector Frank Pridgeon, Sr. passed away today.
Details are sketchy on this as I just received word on this very sad news a few moments ago. Pridgeon served as an inspector with the Maryland commission for two decades. A commission spokesperson said that Pridgeon served the commission with dignity and honor.
A personal note: Frank Pridgeon was truly one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. The smile, the hearty greeting and the respect that he showed everyone involved with a boxing card just scratches the surface of how wonderful this man truly was.
I hope to have more details tomorrow.
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23 comments:
Frank was a great guy and he will be missed.
Tony Jeter
thanks every1 for all your nice comments!! my grandpa was truely a great man and we miss him so much!!
Thank you Ashley for checking in. My condolences to you and your family.
Frank was a good man & frendly to everyone ...We will miss you.
Jake Smith
Mr. Pridgeon had the most infectious personality I've ever been around! You couldn't help but feel uplifted after he showed you those "famous photos" he always carried around with him and told one of those "special" jokes. His animated and classy style was like a cross between Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. Frank had a good rhythm about him too.
Digital, please post the homegoing arrangements as soon as you find out, so we can turn out in force to celebrate a Champion among men. Thanks to Frank, the boxing world was a better place. R.I.P. my friend..
i loved looking @ all his pictures he had and listening to all his stories!! he was the bast grandpa ever!! thanks every1 for all your support! he is missed so much
Wow! What a loss! Frank's contributions to the area fight game were truly significant. On a personal note, Frank was always helpful and supportive in numerous ways; ensuring our broadcast crew was equiped and ready to provide the best coverage possible at each and every fight show. He will truly be missed. Condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace.
The Fight Doctor (Jerome Spears)
All of the wonderful comments on this forum are not a surprise a to me as my grandfather was surely one of a kind. He was everything a grandfather could be and I loved him very much. I will miss him so much.
Nikki
Truly one of the nicest guys in boxing.I always love to see his pictures and he would always call me Billy Eckstine. Frank was a gem in the mines of Boxing and he will really be missed ,my condolences to the family.
From the entire King Family. Frankie was the best! I never had a chance to meet alot of his family, but I do know they must have been great! Gary, I'm sorry for your loss. Always a smile, and funny word or story to tell. RIP Frankie....You will be missed.
SHERRY
the showing is @ 10am and service is @ 11am for anybody who would like to attend!!!! all is welcome!! he would want it that way!! thanks so much for all the support!!
Could we please have more details about the viewing and service (including what day is it, and the location of the viewing and service)? Thank you very much.
Frankie was truly a great man. Before every fight at Michael's, the first thing he would do is find me and my Dad to say hello. He was a great asset to Md. Boxing and will be missed.
Scott and Mike Wagner
I worked with and admired Frank for 15+ years and he never lost his ever-present cool.
I will miss him and it was my honor and pleasure knowing him.
He was a well liked and respected by all his fellow MSAC team members.
RIP
Don Risher
Frankie you were one of the best people i've ever had the opportunity to know. From being my mentor when i was in military school to everytime you seen me you always asked so when you wanna get in the ring or damn boy you getting big knowing that i was the same size as the last time you saw me. Thanks for everything man you're definitely gonna be missed down here. Rest in Paradise hopefully i'll run into you again one day
The Maryland State Athletic Commission extends its deepest condolences to the family of Frank Pridgeon, Sr.. Frank was a dedicated member of the MSAC team for nearly 20 years and, through his efforts and example as a Commission inspector, was a strong advocate of boxers' safety. Frank's enthusiasm for, and love of, Maryland boxing was well-known. He will certainly be missed.
Patrick Pannella
Executive Director
Maryland State Athletic Commission
Thursday, January 21, 2010 ~
The viewing will be a First Baptist Church of Glenarden, 3600 Brightseat Road, Landover, MD 20785from 9am to 11am. Interment following directly after at Fort Lincoln Cemetary3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, MD 20722.
Mr.Frank, was so funny and fun
to be around.
thats why he lived a nice long life.
sometimes i just smile when i
think of him and his jokes.
R.I.P Mr. Frank
coach kenny, upton boxing,
made that last comment
Man oh man, he was such a great human being. He would come into the dressing room with some old school comedy that would help chase some of the many butterflies away I had before the fights.
He's a big part of my personal history, he'd light up any room he was in. Can't say enough about him. He'll be truly missed.
Darnell "The Ding-A-Ling Man" Wilson
Frank was a friend to every person he met. He will be truly missed within the boxing community. My condolences to his family.
John Gradowski
My condolences to the Pridgeon family. He was a very good guy. We will keep you in our prayers
I just found out today from J.D. Brown. Frank always made you feel good, like you and him were sharing a secret: Man, this is all good. That's how it felt when you saw him at the fights. What a joyful man, loved jazz and he called J.D. "Billy Eckstine." Now I don't know if even J.D., smooth as he is, is that smooth, but that had to have felt good to be called that(oldtimers know who Billy Eckstine - "Mr B" is). Frank was always one of the people I went away wishing I knew better, but he put his spirit right out there -- big and warm. And reading the comments from his grandkids here, they sound great too. Rest in peace, alumni. We'll toll the count in our hearts.
-- John Scheinman
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