Portage Lakes loses a legend: Frank Weaver Jr., known for boat parade and more, dies at 82

The Portage Lakes Boat Parade will go on this year without founder Frank Weaver Jr.

Weaver, probably best known outside the greater lakes community for his involvement in both the boat parade and the annual Portage Lakes Fireworks display, died April 9. He was 82.

In 2022, he served as grand marshal of the parade despite health issues that kept him from moving about much, said his wife of more than 51 years, Peggy Weaver. He had been chair or co-chair of the parade committee nine of its first 13 years, but he was surprised by the honor, she said.

"He was stunned — absolutely stunned," Peggy Weaver said Tuesday. "…He couldn't believe that they were asking him to do that."

She watched from Dano's Lakeside Pub, knowing the effort it took her husband, who was battling health issues.

"He hadn't been out in a long time," she said.

'Synonymous with the Portage Lakes'

Weaver was also active in Portage Lakes politics, especially in the late 1980s, when Green and New Franklin both remained townships.

At the time, Green, Coventry, Franklin and Springfield townships were all considering various plans to become part of a Portage Lakes city.

"Frank Weaver Jr., the boat parade chairman, is becoming synonymous with the Portage Lakes," the Akron Beacon Journal wrote in the July 1, 1998, edition. "Besides being a representative to the Portage Lakes Community Council from the Turkeyfoot Heights Association, he is also a charter delegate from Green Township to the Portage Lakes Advisory Council. His commitment to community projects is endless."

Peggy Weaver said her husband's views on what should happen with Green Township sometimes met with extreme opposition.

"He made people so mad (that) he had death threats," she said. "People were calling our house (and) calling us Nazis when Green was trying to form as a city."

A life-threatening heart scare in 1984

Peggy Weaver said her husband had a history of health issues, including a life-threatening one in 1984.

"We thought we were going to lose him," she said.

Her husband had developed heart problems and was told during a stay at Barberton Hospital there was nothing doctors there could do.

"They said, 'We can't help you,'" she said.

The Akron hospitals also couldn't help, so he was transferred to University Hospitals in Cleveland.

"The doctor up there told Frank, 'I think I can repair this,' " Peggy Weaver said. " 'Do you want me to try to repair this?' "

About 20 years ago, Weaver had his mitral valve worked on, she said.

"They did it in Akron (at Summa)," she said. "That, to me, was stunning."

'My dad was my buddy'

Weaver was also involved in local theater and wrote for the former Suburbanite weekly for 25 years, Peggy Weaver said.

Wendy Wilson, Weaver's daughter, said in an email she would help her father practice his lines for many of the 80 plays he performed in.

"Growing up, my dad was my buddy," she said.

Wilson said her father had rheumatic fever and polio as a child and suffered lifelong effects from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. A week before his death, his sole wish was to go outside, and she was able to wheel him to the deck of the Weaver home.

"Shortly after getting him outside, he said, 'One day I’m going to be well. And when I do, look out,' ” Wilson said. "That day has come."Peggy Weaver said her husband's health declined quickly after he was diagnosed with cancer that metastasized.

"It (spread) really, really fast," she said.

'He cared about the people'

Weaver said her husband could appear gruff, but was kind to the core.

"He would find people on the street that he thought needed a dinner or a place to sit and feel safe, and he would bring them home," she said.

He would help further by buying groceries, she said.

"He cared about the people," she said.

Services have already taken place for Weaver. However, this year's boat parade, planned for July 6 along with the fireworks display, will be dedicated to him, said Danielle Shriner of Shriner Marine. Boats can be registered for the parade at Shriner Marine, 533 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, New Franklin. Contact Andy Shriner at 330-400-4470 for more information.

Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj or Facebook at www.facebook.com/alan.newsman.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Portage Lakes boat parade founder Frank Weaver Jr. dies at 82