Frank S. Accardi – Woodbadge 1965

Frank Samuel Accardi was born on October 23, 1927 at home in the upstairs apartment of an Italian import store at 710 W. Grand Avenue in Chicago.  His parents Michael (09/03/1886 – 04/05/1954) and Josephine (nee Lombardo – 03/08/1892 – 03/17/1957) were immigrants from Italy.  Frank is one of seven children and the family soon moved to Frank’s childhood home at 3530 W. Hirsch St. and joined Maternity B.V.M. parish.  While not a Scout as a youth, Frank attended and graduated from the James Russell Lowell elementary school and the Richard T. Crane High School in 1945.

Immediately after High School Frank was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the chemical warfare section at the Huntsville Arsenal in Huntsville, AL where his group was charged with disposal of hazardous chemical weapons that were being gathered throughout the globe at the close of World War II.  He met his future wife Jo Ann Lucas (who was then working at the telephone company) on a double date that ended at Russell’s BBQ Shack on Thatcher Road in River Forest.  After a brief courtship they were married on August 28, 1948 at Maternity B.V.M. Church at North Avenue and Monticello Av.

Frank worked for several iterations of the same trucking company (ABF) starting as a rate analyst, union steward, and ultimately as the office manager.  He and Jo Ann welcomed three children into the world – Charles (1949), Rodger (1951), and Victoria (1956).  It was during that time Frank was recruited to join the Committee of Cub Scout Pack 3109 sponsored by the Catholic Church.  He was recruited the following year to become the Scoutmaster of Troop 109 – a position he held for 16 years from 1960 until 1976.  During his time with the troop, Jo Ann served as a Den Mother for the Pack and instituted the Religious Award Program.

Frank quickly put together an outstanding program for the boys in the Church and neighborhood.   Attending Owasippe each year, the troop initially camped at Beard, then moved to Blackhawk when Beard closed in 1970.  Under his guidance the troop also attended the 1964 National Jamboree as well as Philmont.  Frank completed his Woodbadge ticket in 1965 at Owasippe, and went on to work on several other Woodbadge Courses in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  For his commitment to Scouting, Frank received the District Award of Merit through the Pathfinder District and later the Silver Beaver Award from the Chicago Area Council.

Owasippe Family Camp became the rallying point for numerous couples whose boys had made the trek to Owasippe.  From 1971-1984 Frank and Jo Ann became co-directors of “Senior Week” at Reneker.  It was there that Steve Horvath recruited Frank to work on staff at Owasippe as an Assistant Reservation Director in 1991 and 1992.

In 1963 at a Pathfinder District Camporee at Ft. Dearborn, Frank was tapped out by the Cahokia Chapter Ceremonial Team and began his journey in the Order of the Arrow.  He sealed his membership in the Order the following year, again at Ft. Dearborn by accepting the responsibility of the Brotherhood Honor.  Frank served first as an Associate Advisor of Cahokia Chapter and later as its Advisor.  He was summoned to serve as an Associate Lodge Advisor by a true legend of Owasippe Lodge – Sheridan U. Nunn.  In 1968 Frank was called by his Brothers in the Arrow to the Vigil Honor for a life of cheerful service to Scouting.  He prayerfully meditated on the evening of August 10, 1968 at Owasippe and the following morning became evermore known as “Nenostam Moewagan – To Show Understanding”.

Frank S. Accardi – 2010

Outside of Scouting, Frank was a longtime member, and later President of the Berwyn/Burr Ridge Kiwanis Club.  He was also a member and active participant in the Italian American Executives of Transportation.  His outside service includes work with feeding the homeless, raising money for academic scholarships for deserving students, work with the Ronald McDonald House, and volunteering to teach classes for those wishing to convert to Roman Catholicism.

When reflecting back on the Order of the Arrow and the Vigil Honor, Frank believes it is an avenue of spirituality for Scouts and Scouters to help them grow closer to God.