Posted on

John Loftus, Newspaperman

I was not shocked when I read that John Loftus had died.  He battled glioblastoma for 6 years, longer than anyone I know of.

John was a journalist with the Northeast Times, and I met him when I began covering local news for the Frankford Gazette in 2010.  John was everywhere in Frankford.  He attended the civic meetings, police meetings and any other community meeting or event where news might be found.

We first spoke at one civic meeting where he came in after I was seated, and he came over and sat down next to me and said, “Is this the reporters’ area”.  I was flattered by the reference since at that point I was hardly a reporter and was still trying to figure out how to do that job.  After that, we would often sit together.  I would watch him do his job and try to learn from him.

He was always on the watch for the story behind the story and many times would leave a meeting with leads on stories that I completely ignored.

John’s interest in Frankford did not end as a journalist. One Saturday in 2012 I met him at a community clean up, walking up Meadow Street with a broom.  He was just there cleaning up like everyone else. I came back an hour later and he was in a vacant lot clearing it for a community garden.  John was a gardener, and he knew what had to be done.  He returned to that garden several times to follow how it was growing.  For sure, a story came out of that experience but I’ve never met another reporter with in Frankford with a broom.

I was at a meeting in 2015 that John attended when he mentioned that he wasn’t feeling right.  I don’t remember how he described it, but it was the last time he was able to cover a Frankford meeting.  Not long after I heard he had had surgery for a tumor on the brain.

I talked to him last after his surgery when he was able, and he was feeling better.  His words came with some effort, but we talked.  I wish I had told him how his work ethic of getting the facts straight and being fair to all parties steered me on the right path.

John left a legacy of family, friends, relationships and the written word.  Go in peace John, congratulations on a job well done.

Follow this link to his official obituary in the Northeast Times.

Posted on

Water Department Construction Project in Frankford

Water Department construction project starting in Frankford

A Water Department project will begin construction within the next few weeks in the Frankford neighborhood.

  • Project Name: #41109 Foulkrod / Oakland / Penn
  • Project Dates: February 2021 – March 2022

Construction will take place at the streets listed below over the next 13-14 months:

  • Leiper St. from Arrott St. to Oxford St.
  • Oakland St. from Foulkrod St. to Harrison St.
  • Penn St. from Arrott St. to Oxford St.
  • Foulkrod St. from Large St. to N. Penn St.

Work will start on the 1100 block of Foulkrod St.

For more information, follow this link.

Posted on

Traffic Accident on Oakland Street

Reported by Patrick Hodynski

About 7 am on Friday, October 9, 2020 a crash occurred between two SUVs on the 4600 block of Oakland Street in Northwood.

Neighbors report hearing a loud bang, and looked out to observe 5 young people climb out of the red SUV and run away.  The black SUV was parked and unoccupied.
Police report that the overturned SUV was obviously going at a high rate of speed, and that it was not at the time reported stolen. Items such as jewelry and drug paraphernalia were scattered about the scene in and around the vehicle.  Traffic was detoured during investigation.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Posted on

Interim Pastor Kevin D. Jones, Second Baptist Church of Frankford

Frankford Residents Welcome Interim Pastor Kevin D. Jones, Second Baptist Church of Frankford

On Sunday, July 12, 2020, Pastor Jones will officially lead the congregation as Interim Pastor of Second Baptist Church of Frankford!

Second Baptist is where he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior and was baptized under the pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. George N. Kenner. He also served under the Pastorate of Reverend Dr. Daryl R. Bradsbery, former pastor of Second Baptist church.

Pastor Jones credits many people who have prayed for him and also helped him along his Christian journey and taught him the value of serving the Lord. He has been instrumental and very active in several ministries such as Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, male chorus, Assistant Superintendent of Sunday School, member of the Trustee board, and Chairman of the Deacon board.

He received his education in the Philadelphia Public School system, and went on to seek his post education at California State College of PA. After 37 years with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Pastor Jones’s faith journey led him under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the support of many mentors, teachers, family, and friends to preach the gospel. He was licensed as a Minister of the Gospel on January 7, 2018 and Ordained as Pastor in September of 2019.

He is married to his lovely wife Robin for 34 years, and from their union have two beautiful children, daughter Morgan and son Jordan. In addition, cherishing two lovely grandchildren, Londyn and Logan.

Pastor Jones continues to serve the Lord in every capacity and continues to be a humble servant of the Lord. His favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

Posted on

Benjamin F. Tucker

Our condolences go out to the Tucker family on the loss of their father, Benjamin F. Tucker.
He was a prominent business man in the community for his entire life and was mentioned in the book “A Short History of Northeast Philadelphia” by Harry Silcox.
State Senator Tartaglione sent this message to the family:
I was very saddened to learn of the passing of your loved one, Mr. Benjamin F. Tucker. His death is a tremendous loss for the entire Frankford community.
As a committee person and poll worker for more than two decades, Mr. Tucker left behind a distinguished legacy of civic engagement and public service. His sustained effort to improve the lives of his neighbors will always be remembered fondly.
It is my distinct honor to pay tribute to Mr. Tucker and to offer my deepest condolences to you at this difficult time. Please know that I will always be available to assist your family in any way I can.
Mr. Tucker passed away in April and the family has planned a Service of Celebration at Northeast Baptist Church for this coming Friday, July 3rd. Details are listed below.