FRANK WEEDEN
Candidate and city activist loses battle with cancer.
TRENTON — Michael McGrath recalls making signs with mayoral candidate Frank Weeden right before the 2010 election.
“We were up late working on a last-ditch effort on the campaign,” McGrath said Tuesday after learning of Weeden’s passing. “He’s just a really good man and a really good person for the community.”
Weeden, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2006 and 2010, lost his battle Monday to pancreatic cancer. But he was a fighter. The 53-year-old constantly advocated for issues he believed in.
He was active in the Trenton Historical Society and the local community, fought hard to conserve the Broad Street Bank Building, which was converted into apartments, contested former Mayor Douglas H. Palmer’s plan to sell Trenton Water Works, which is still operated by the city, and was a major player in seeking the removal of former Police Director Joseph Santiago because he was not a resident of the city — a requirement for the job — and eventually led to the director’s resignation, according to city activist Jim Carlucci.
“He tried to move the city forward,” Carlucci said Tuesday, adding it’s another huge loss to the city after the death of activist Dion Clark earlier this year. “A lot of heart and a lot of say in this city were diminished.”
In addition to Weeden’s many interests, he was also an artist.
He was founder of coowner of Trenton-based candle company Ana Design Corporation.
“Frank was incredible,” McGrath said. “He really liked doing what he could for the community and really give 110 percent of himself.”