The Lincoln Heights Community, LAPD and the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council System lost a longtime advocate with the unexpected Passing Away of Frank Wada at the Age of 62.
According to longtime fellow Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council Member Ben Wadsworth, “I received a phone call at 3:30 AM this morning and told of the death of Frank Wada, a graduate of LHS Class of 1973, one of my former students, and my great friend. Frank had been a member of the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council since its inception. He was also one of the founding members of the Lincoln Heights Dollars for Scholars foundation. He will be missed by all.” -WADS
“Frank Wada was a Lincoln High School Key Club President and Associate Student Government President in the early 1980s under the guidance of now retired KeyClub/Student Government Coordinator Ben “Wads” Wadsworth. Since graduating in 1973, Frank had been a constant presence in the Lincoln Heights Civic Community, involving himself with the likes of Kiwanis, the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce and helping with the creation of the LHNC. Community members will also remember Frank’s longtime avocation for the Los Angeles Police Department, dedicating countless of volunteer hours at neighborhood events and as a member of the LAPD Hollenbeck Division community Police Advisory Board (CPAB). Frank’s persona, which was heavy on listening, and concise on commentary, will be miss by the Lincoln Heights Community. Our prayers and condolences go out to the Wada Family at this time of Great Loss.”-Scott Johnson.
“Many of you knew Frank because of the amazing volunteer work with LAPD Hollenbeck division, LANCC, Neighborhood Council in Lincoln Heights and so much more. Frank was a CPAB member for over 20 years. Frank was a very dear friend for 13 years. He supported all that I and others did in the community. Way back when I had a organization called CATs (Community Action Team) Frank was a member. We believed in “Partnering Kids, Cops and Community”. When I started Speak Out Against Bullying, Frank was a great supporter and attended many school assemblies and town halls throughout the city. He would help give students booklets of resources. Frank was one of those community volunteers that worked tirelessly attending meetings and events. He wore more badges around his neck then anyone I know. He was a doer not a complainer. He was so active he made me feel lazy. With a heavy heart, I am trying to understand why the Lord always takes the good people. May Frank rest in peace!!!” -Monica Harmon.
“Frank was awesome. “Advocate” only minimizes what he would bring to the table. What a force, and that force will be missed at an unimaginable level. Lincoln Heights has lost a bright shiny light.” -Ginny Brideau
“Frank Wada was someone I’d seen countless times at L.A. community events and neighborhood council-related meetings over the years. He was easy to spot…because he and I were usually the only Asian-American people in the room. We would always chat about local politics and community issues. But his activism in his native Lincoln Heights neighborhood had been going on for decades, and many people know him as a dedicated member of the community. The last time I saw him was this past May during the dedication of the new Metro Gold Line rail yard in Monrovia. Rest In Peace, Frank. When the train line opens to Azusa next March, I’ll keep you in my thoughts. Frank deserves to have something like a park or a street or a community center named after him.” -Elson Trinidad
“I saw Frank at many events over the years, including public hearings for the Metro Regional Connector, and spoke to him a couple of times. He was quieter than most other community activists, but I suspect he accomplished more than the loudmouths.” -Perias Pillay
“Lincoln Heights, the Eastside and LAPD lost a great person today. Rest in Peace Frank Wada, the gentlest soul and one of the most determined people I ever met.”-David Galaviz
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our CPAB member Frank Wada. Frank was a big part of the Hollenbeck landscape and his service to the community will not be forgotten. Please keep his family in your prayers.” -Community POlice Advisory Board of Hollenbeck CPAB
“I will miss Frank at all the meetings that we both attended and especially our frequent phone conversations that covered so many social and political matters, especially the local issues. I hope that we enlightened each other to mutually arrive at a more informed outcome, while allowing me to share gripes with him and hear his views and questions. Our last conversation was on Monday and aside from his feeling under the weather, we went over the usual news and updated situations with all our regular small talk included. The next news about Frank was the last thing I would have expected. He was a good friend and his presence will be missed by many people and organizations.” -Robert Guevara
