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In Memoriam: Frank F. Filling Jr. and “Sto” Fox

CHICAGO — American Drycleaner has learned of the recent deaths of two prominent leaders in the dry cleaning community:

Frank F. Filling Jr. — Died Nov. 10, 2012

Frank F. Filling Jr., 94, of Landis Homes, formerly of Lancaster, Pa., died Nov. 10 surrounded by family.

Filling was the retired president of Filling’s Inc. Drycleaning, Men’s and Ladies Stores. He retired in 1987 after 53 years with the Filling Corp.

Filling once served as the president of the Central Pennsylvania Drycleaners Guild and the Pennsylvania Association of Professional Dry Cleaners. He was elected to the International Fabricare Institute’s Board of Directors and was instrumental in the formation of the Institute’s school in Maryland.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel “Mae,” in 1999. He is survived by a son, daughter, two brothers, two sisters, and three grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Lancaster, or the Millersville VFW Post 7294, 219 Walnut Hill Rd., Millersville, PA 17551.

Read his full obituary here.

Watson “Sto” Stoessel Fox Jr. — July 19, 1941-Nov. 2, 2012

Watson Stoessel “Sto” Fox Jr. , 71, Greensboro, N.C., died Nov. 2 after a fight with cancer.

Fox attended the University of North Carolina and served in the U.S. Air Force before beginning his professional career. He worked at Sedgefield Country Club and later the family business his father started in 1947, Fox Cleaners.

He also enjoyed a successful career as an employment recruiter while running Fox Cleaners. Fox’s children continue to operate the dry cleaning business today.

His passion for the dry cleaning industry led him to become executive director of the North Carolina Association of Launderers and Cleaners, where he achieved many notable accomplishments.

One of the most notable was the creation of the Dry Cleaners Trust Fund (DCSCA), which continues to help protect the environment and the existence of small businesses.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gail Sandra Weber. Surviving him are four daughters, one son, and eight grandchildren.

Memorial contributions in Fox’s name can be shared with Beacon Place and with Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405.

Read his full obituary here.

In Memoriam

(Photo: © iStockphoto/Lighthousebay)

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