To say that Frank Scott was born into a traditional Irish Catholic family might sound like a cliché, but it’s true.
Frank’s parents, Bill and Patricia, had eight children and Frank, who died Feb. 9 at 67, was the third in line. His in-laws were from a family of 13.
All of Frank’s siblings were educated in the Catholic tradition at Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia. Frank continued his education at Marquette University.
Frank’s youngest brother, Martin, even seriously considered joining the priesthood.
“When Frank left for Marquette University, I was very young,” Martin Scott said. “We didn’t have much contact growing up, but later in life, especially after Regina (Frank’s wife) died, Frank and I became really close.”
Martin said Frank was instrumental as a caregiver when their father became ill.
Frank and his late wife of 35 years, Regina had three children — Gina, Brian and Maribeth — and Frank was a committed family man. Interweaving his career in computer sales for HP Products, where he sold to the government and small to medium-sized businesses, Frank always found time to take his children on vacations at places from national parks to the Jersey shore.
“Frank was really enthralled with the natural beauty of Cape May,” Martin said.
“My brother would often take us on long hikes throughout the nature trails of Cape May,” said Bill Scott, Frank’s older brother. “He was not only a great brother but a good neighbor since we moved close by in 2006.”
Bill said when a house near him in West Cape May became available, he would tell the family.
“My wife Sue and I were able to move closer,” he said.
Frank also had a fondness for St. John in the U.S Virgin Islands and would take his family and camera. There was always his camera, and he always came back to Cape May.
“I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Frank Scott, a gifted photographer and friend here in Cape May,” said Werner Tedesco, a local photographer. “Every time we met, the conversation was full of laughs about photography or music, subjects he truly loved. If something was happening around town, especially anything connected to the local music scene, you could count on Frank being there with his camera, capturing the spirit of it all.”
“I met Frank Scott in 2006, when we were both singing at Congress Hall. At the time, neither of us knew that a simple shared love of music would become a lasting friendship and a meaningful chapter in our lives,” said Bernadette Matthews, president of the Cape May Chamber of Commerce and a close personal friend. “Frank and I often stood in the shadows, lending harmony, building confidence and finding our footing. But it didn’t take long for people to notice what I already knew — Frank possessed the most beautiful tenor voice.”
“From there, we found our way to Friday nights at the Pilot House, where Dierdra and Frank Hineline hosted their open mic. What started as a gathering of hopeful musicians slowly evolved into something special — the Singer-Songwriter groups many now know and love.”
“Frank was not only confident with a zest for life, but he was also reliable and cared deeply about people, showing it in countless ways. He routinely showed up at The Mad Batter with his big smile, in support of musician friends on open mic night, or at the Ramble at The Chalfonte. He sang tenor in a clear, resonant voice, making a choir of volunteer singers sound even better. He quietly worked to capture beautiful photos of classical, jazz and popular musicians in concert. He unassumingly and quietly stepped into the role of musical conductor,” said Susan Krysiak, director of media relations for Cape May MAC and a close friend of Frank’s.
Frank devoted his craft of photography and singing to the community. It could be singing a cantata at church or on the stands of a community choir on holidays like Christmas and the Fourth of July.
Around town, through Frank’s lens, he brought out the best in people. If he wasn’t singing or playing, he was taking pictures of the performers.
“Speaking from our tight family and musical community at Songs from the Barn/Sperlak Gallery, Frank has been an early and fast friend over the past 10 years. Wielding his many lenses and bringing all the best spirits and personalities he captured to life in social media and in print,” gallery owner Stan Sperlak said. “It was the way he smiled, the ease of his words, his gentle persuasion and quiet charm, and, after you got to know him a bit, the depth of his love and appreciation of his fellow artists and friends. He will be sorely missed.”
“Frank possessed the most beautiful tenor voice. It wasn’t just technically remarkable — it was clear, expressive and filled with heart. When Frank sang, you felt it. His voice carried warmth, sincerity, and a quiet strength that drew people in,” Matthews added. “Beyond the music, Frank was generous in spirit. He arrived with his camera, capturing photographs of nearly every event in Cape May.”
“Frank was an amazing man, an exceptional photographer, he had the voice of an angel, a great and sly sense of humor. One of the kindest and most generous people I’ve ever known,” close friend Dennis Flanagain said.
It might be difficult to tell what Frank preferred more — singing or taking pictures.
“He shot some photographs at one of our events, and I encouraged him to frame them, and he just was so humble, but he did, and these works, in black and white, were the most popular of our event,” Sperlak said.
Close friend Amy Hufana, who met Frank and Regina at the Pilot House, said Frank would sometimes sing a cappella at the open mic night.
“I started accompanying him on the keyboard at various events, and we became great friends,” she said. “In recent years, Frank has been our conductor for the Christmas Cantata, performed annually at Cape May Lutheran. Along with being multi-talented, Frank had integrity and wit; you could count on him to be there when it mattered.”
As a photographer, Frank was always willing to share his settings and tips freely. That’s not something you see every day. During one local event, Frank shared a story about a particular photograph.
“The shutter speed on my camera for this shot was 1/250th of a second. One of the reasons I love photography is that it shares 1/250th of a second with all the great musicians on stage, capturing the joy of being together for a memorable concert like tonight’s ‘Cape May Goes Electric’ Frank wrote last fall.
In November 2023, this writer was at the opening ceremony for the new Cape May City Fire House. Frank was there, too.
Looking around and taking notes, I could not find Frank. Suddenly I realized he had climbed up on top of a fire truck parked in the street — always wanting the best angle for the shot. This writer and photographer found Frank an inspiration.
He even shared tips with his nephew, J. Cav Scott, a journalist with the Long Island Press, on how to shoot speakers at council and board meetings.
When he wasn’t singing, playing or taking pictures, Frank was volunteering. He loved his work as a guide and hobby historian at the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center (formerly St. Mary’s by-the-Sea retreat for the Sisters of St. Joseph), which was very close to his heart.
“What people may not know about Frank,” Bill and Sue Scott said, “was that our Aunt Adelaide was a Sister of St. Joseph and took retreats at Cape May Point.”
While the Scott family vacationed in Wildwood in the early 1970s, they also visited St. Mary’s. Frank would often volunteer to clean up, sweep and fix screens. Whatever the sisters needed.
After the conversion to the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center was complete, Frank would take pictures of the renovation, visit St. Joseph Villa in Flourtown, Pa., and show the retired sisters how the center was turning out.
Frank’s musical roots may be deeper than some realize. In the 1970s, while at Cardinal Dougherty High School, Frank performed not only in the marching band but also in the wind ensemble. The musical director at the time brought the smaller subset of musicians to perform at Cape May Convention Hall and the bandstand in Rotary Park.
“Few people come into our lives who simply make things better. Frank Scott did that. We are blessed that he loved Cape May and shared his joy with so many,” Krysiak said
“I have no words. Our friendship was warm and close, and everything I think to say feels like a cliche,” said Liz Shay, a close friend.
Like Liz, family members and Frank’s closest friends kept the news of his passing off social media until his obituary was published. “He would have wanted it that way,” Martin said.
“I will always remember the harmonies we shared, the courage we found together in those early nights, and the way his tenor would rise effortlessly above the rest. The shadows we once stood in are brighter now because of him,” Matthews said.
John Cooke, who has lived in the city full time since 2004, is general manager of the Seacrest Inn and a past president of the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May. He has always been passionate about Cape May.
