Remembering Frank Starr

Frank Starr, our Maverick patriarch, died at age 92 of prolonged health problems he encountered during the past year. His wife, Pauline, said “Frank really enjoyed swimming and being a part of the Maverick team. He was thrilled to be featured on the calendar.” The Mavericks put together a 2003 calendar, featuring the 12 oldest, one per month. Frank was featured in March and received his calendar several weeks before he died. Starr received his BA from Loyola Univ., in Montreal, in 1931. He began his career at a radio station in 1938, broadcast sports in 1951, performed various emcee jobs and acting gigs. He was recognized for these achievements with the Actra Lifetime Membership. He married Pauline in 1951, and both did photo modeling. Their trips south began when they followed a Canadian baseball team to Florida. After that, he and Pauline spent summers in Montreal, operating their ten-acre apple orchard and winters in Clearwater, Fla.

Starr started his competitive swimming career with Coach Joe Biondi at the Clearwater Y, at age 70. At his earliest Masters meets as a 75 year old, he won all his events at the St. Pete meet and the National Y Meet in Indy. At 80, he had a heart attack and at 85, fractured his spine. Starr attributes both recoveries and longevity to his swimming workouts, a diet including lots of fruits and vegetables, walking five miles to work for twenty years and giving up smoking at age 55. Many of you will remember another outstanding performance at the Clearwater meet in 2000, when he competed in the first USMS 85+ men's relay.

The Mavericks became better acquainted with Frank and Pauline at Canadian Nationals in 1999 during the longs days at the pool and visiting around the dinner table in the evenings. The following year in Munich, was his first world meet. The Starrs discovered many tasty German restaurants and sites to tour during their walks and subway rides. The oldest couple enjoyed sharing their finds with the youngsters.

Frank Starr, our team feels fortunate to have swum with you and shared in a small part of your journey through life. We will miss your deep broadcasting voice, your cheerful personality and the ever present twinkle in your eyes. May you continue to swim in that giant lap pool in the sky.

Following is an earlier story on Frank:

Frank Starr, our Maverick patriarch, celebrated his 90th birthday, by winning all five of his events in the St. Pete Championship Meet in April, and establishing two FL LMSC records. Starr received his BA from Loyola University in Montreal, in 1931. He began his career at a radio station in 1938, broadcast sports in 1951, performed various emcee jobs and acting gigs. He was recognized for these achievements with the Actra Lifetime Membership. He married Pauline in 1951, and both did photo modeling. Their trips south began when they followed a Canadian baseball team to Florida. Starr started his competitive swimming career with Coach Joe Biondi at the Clearwater Y, at age 70. At his earliest Masters meets as a 75 year old, he won all his events at the St. Pete meet and at the National Y Meet in Indy. Another outstanding performance was competing in the first USMS 85+ men's relay, in 2000. At 80, he had a heart attack and at 85, fractured his spine. Starr attributes both recoveries and longevity to his swimming workouts, a diet including lots of fruits and vegetables, walking five miles to work for twenty years and giving up smoking at age 55. He and his wife, Pauline, spend the summer in Montreal, operate their ten-acre apple orchard and drive to Clearwater, Fla., for the winter. They will join the team in Munich in 2000, for his first world meet.