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Franklin O. Cummings, 88, Of Stamford

STAMFORD, Conn. – Franklin Othello Cummings, 88, died Thursday, March 19 at Greenwich Hospital.

Cummings was born May 19, 1926, in Hardeeville, S.C., to the late the Rev. Charles W. Cummings and Elizabeth Young Cummings.

Cummings attended school in Hardeeville. At a young age, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy and served honorably in World War II. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Cummings and his brother, Charles, relocated to New York, where he worked for a paint brush manufacturer. Soon after, they moved to Stamford.

He worked for various companies, including the City of Stamford, Yale & Towne and Imperial Baking Company. In 1967, he purchased his first business vehicle, a yellow and black GMC dump truck, which he affectionately called "Little Frankie." In the same year, Cummings Trucking and Cellar Cleaning was established. This paved the way for Imperial Asphalt Company, which he owned for more than 45 years. Imperial Asphalt was one of the first African-American paving companies in Fairfield County.

He was a faithful member of Union Baptist Church, serving in various capacities: Trustee Board, UBC Gospel Choir, and South Carolina Club and Men's Chorus. Dear to his heart was time spent singing gospel with Joseph Evans, Jerry Rasmussen, Jonathan Carter, Derrick Hanchard and John Fersner. He was honored to receive civic and community awards: Grand Marshal for the Martin Luther King Jr. March, Community Service and Entrepreneur Achievement Award, Stamford ICON, Frank Cummings Day as proclaimed by former Stamford Mayor Dannel P. Malloy and the Better Business Bureau Award. Throughout his success, he continued to invest in his community's youth with a special fondness for Southfield Village. He took the youth on hayrides, camping/fishing trips, hosted community cookouts and provided employment opportunities.

He is survived by Alice Cummings; his children, Dr. Bernice Coleman (Dr. Walter Brown) of Ladera Heights, California; Renee Blackmon of Stamford; Valerie Jenkins (Earl) of Arlington, Texas; Sharon Williams, Michele A. Layton and Frank Robert Cummings (Denise) all of Stamford; 17 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; three siblings; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by three siblings.

Calling hours will be from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, followed by a home-going service at noon at Union Baptist Church, 805 Newfield Ave., Stamford. Services will be officiated by the Rev. Dr. Robert W. Perry. Burial will follow at Fairfield Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of one’s choice. 

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