It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Friday Squad Member, Frank “Waite” Cowles on Friday, December 27, 2024, at the age of 80. Waite was born in Glens Falls on April 25, 1944, to the late Frank Little and Ida (Hicks) Cowles. After a courageous year-long battle with lung cancer, he is now at peace. Waite, also known as Dad, Grampy, Uncle Waite, Uncle No-Shoes, Uncle Butch, or Nice Man Wayne, was the loving husband of Marcia (McLaughlin) for 52 years. He was the beloved father of Blair (Scott) Dawson, Jessica Cowles, and Amanda (Eric) Ryan, and a proud grandfather to 10 amazing grandchildren: Brooke, Luke, and Drew (Blair); Nathan and Evan (Jessica); Gabriel, Isaac, Grace, Elise, and Silas (Amanda). He will be deeply missed by his many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law, all of whom provided endless love and support over the past year. Waite was also cherished by countless lifelong friends and his beloved firehouse comrades.
Waite graduated from Northwood School in 1962. He fondly remembered his time in Lake Placid, especially his skiing adventures and the daring attempt at a ski jump in his younger years. Even though he went away for school, Waite maintained a special, lifelong friendship with his Glens Falls friends, Marv Lemery and Rusty Murray. After school, Waite proudly served in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Italy. He was deeply loved, especially by his wife and daughters, who cherished him in return. He had a unique way of starting their days, often waking them with the soulful notes of Taps played on his mouth trumpet. He made ordinary moments extraordinary, taking his girls on trips to the dump, sitting on the hill to watch thunderstorms roll down the lake, and cheering them on at every ball game or performance. These memories, along with countless others, will be treasured and remembered for years to come.
Over fifty years ago, Waite dedicated himself to the North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Squad as a Lifetime Member and served as Chief in 1985. Never without his Minitor pager, Waite was always ready to respond to fire or emergency calls, whether it was fighting fires, driving the ambulance, or providing support to fellow firefighters. After retiring as a building code inspector for Warren County, Waite and Marcia enjoyed a cross-country road trip, adventures in Europe and cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska, followed by many winters at their home in Fort Myers Beach, FL enjoying the sunshine and eating ice cream at Love Boat. He loved going barefoot whenever he could and usually preferred it to wearing shoes. They cherished their time with children and grandchildren in Raleigh/Cary, NC, and Greenwich, NY.
Waite will be remembered for his deep voice, hearty laugh, love of cars and firetrucks, a good bourbon old-fashioned, his anticipation of the next thunderstorm, his charred food on the grill and his never-ending love for his family. He will be missed more than words can express.
You may download his obituary HERE