[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 69 (Monday, April 29, 2019)]
[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).

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