People of Conshohocken – Frank Zoltowski

People of Conshohocken

Frank Zoltowski

3-31-16

by Brian Coll

This is our ninth installment of our People of Conshohocken series…

We have close to 10,000 people in our borough, add in the residents of West Conshohocken, Plymouth and Whitemarsh and we have a large community. Some of the people that will be featured will be well known in the area, some will have just moved into the area, some will have been here their entire lives. Some of them may be business owners, or people who walk around the area, or maybe work in the area. Maybe you know them, maybe you don’t. Everyone has a story. While we are only going to take their picture and maybe ask a question or two, we want to share these stories with you.

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It’s no secret I have known Frank Zoltowski my entire life. You might know him as Mr. Frank, or Frank Z. or that guy who seemed to be at the Fellowship House everytime you went in your entire life. Frank has been a hell of a guy to the people and youth of Conshohocken for over 50 years. So when Frank walked into the shop today with a couple candy bars for my dad, we got the chance to catch up for a little bit. Talked a little Donofrio Basketball Tournament happening now at the Community Center or Fellowship House. I thought it was really cool that they are now playing the games on the Frank Zoltowski basketball court. You have two Conshohocken legends being represented there, between the namesake of the Albert C. Donofrio Tournament, and it is being played on the Frank Zoltowski Court!!!!! We talked a little about Plymouth Whitemarsh and the basketball team that reached the State Semi Finals this year under head coach Jim Donofrio. Coach Donofrio did a great job with the years team, they may have been seen as over achievers from the outside, but people that watched the team this year knew there was something special.

     Let’s get back to Frank, Frank came into our shop today wearing his Villanova sweatshirt, and that is when I knew he was going to be our next People of Conshohocken! Frank said the shirt was a gift from his niece 13 years ago when she went there herself. Frank was able to go see Nova beat Temple a few weeks ago. He’s been a fan of Villanova and Coach Jay Wright for years. Coach Wright has visited the Donofrio Tournament over the years. I’m not sure the last time he was able to attend the Donofrio Tounament in person, but he played there when he was in high school and there is a pretty good chance Frank Z was there to watch him play. In fact, it was at the Donofrio Tournament that Jay Wright was offered the chance to play at Bucknell.  Frank can tell you about many games over the years played there, but some of his fondest memories are just of Conshohocken boys and girls playing at the Fellowship House over the years without the big crowds around, without the cameras.

       Frank, thanks for letting me take your picture today, but more importantly thanks for everything you did for me and all the other kids that grew up under your watchful eye at the Fellowship House,