(30 May 1897-1 Feb. 1975), woollen mill proprietor, stonemason. (Frank McCormick) Born east of Alexandria on the McCormick Road, presumably on Lot 21 in the 2nd Concession of Lochiel, GC. Parents: Roderick J. (Rory) McCormick and his wife Annie Amanda Geelan. Frank McCormick attended the local schools and Ste-Thérèse College in Quebec. He could speak, write and read English, French, and Gaelic, being one of the last of the Gaelic conversationalists. Indeed, in English he was a noted conversationalist, in a society where conversational skills were still prized as one of life’s most enviable accomplishments. In his early years he was a much noted lacrosse player in the Alexandria area, but was valued also as a soccer player.

     He was married in 1925 to Mae Rita MacDonell (1901-1950). (nine children, eight surviving him) At the time of his marriage he bought the McCormick woollen mill and the land immediately around it from his father. He continued to operate the mill till it was destroyed by fire in July 1949. Afterwards, he rebuilt enough of the structure to maintain limited operations. Eventually he and his brother Stuart McCormick sold their holdings at the mill property so that the land could be used as part of the golf course being established at that time for the Alexandria area. As an accomplished machinist, Frank McCormick was often in demand for his skills in repairing machinery. He was also active as a stonemason. In this role he built area fireplaces, including one for Velma and Keith Franklin near Maxville (1967). He supervised the building of the grotto at the Retreat House in Alexandria (1954) and built or supervised the building of the MacLeod Cairn near Dalkeith (1965). The belief that he also built the stone memorial gates at the West Church, Kirk Hill, dedicated 1950 (Glengarry News 10 Nov. 1950), is apparently erroneous. The actual builder of the gates is remembered to have been a Mr Legault of Glen Robertson. Frank McCormick died at Glengarry Memorial Hospital. Roman Catholic.

“Grandsons Were Pallbearers at Funeral of Frank McCormick”, also tribute from the “Rambling Reporter” columnist (i. e., Eugene Macdonald), Glengarry News 6 Feb. 1975 * McCormicks 133, 201, 206, 210-214, 217-220, 225 (includes portrait, history of the mill, also a fine letter of description, recollection, & tribute, from Velma Franklin) * biog. by Angus H. McDonell in series on GC athletes, with portrait drawn by Douglas A. Fales, GN 22 Aug. 1990 * described, Ken McKenna’s column, GN 29 Sept. 1999 * history of mill, Standard Freeholder 23 Nov. 1946 * mill burns, history of mill, GN 15 July 1949 * memorial gates: private information * grotto: Macdonald, St. Finnan’s 24; GN 19 Aug. 1954 * MacLeod Cairn: GN 31 Dec. 1964; private information; and see Capt. Alexander MacLeod