Frank Beazley: The Growing Season

"The Growing Season" is available as a paperback and in Kindle from Amazon under the title "THE GROWING SEASON: Frank Beazley and the meaning of life." ORDER HERE!

 Updated November 3, 2017...

I never met anyone like the late Frank Beazley, nor am ever likely to meet anyone like him again. My time with him -- culminating but not ending with "The Growing Season," my 12-part 2006 Providence Journal series -- was a precious blessing. I think of him often still. He was a great man and I was honored to be his friend.

Despite a cruel upbringing followed by a tragic accident that broke his body and could have ruined his soul, he instead became an extraordinarily inspiring, uplifting and selfless champion of those without power or voice. Also, a celebrated artist, devoted gardener and man of fine humor. In these times of dark, narcissistic so-called "leaders" in Washington who are determined to divide and dehumanize, and who sit idly as the planet screams in death agony, we could use more Franks.

I said goodbye to Frank a few days before he died in 2012, as he drifted in and out of consciousness at the state hospital where he had lived as a quadriplegic for 45 years; saying "OK" and "good," he was ready to go. Then I wrote his obituary. And, fulfilling one of his final requests, I was honored to be a pallbearer as Frank was laid to rest.

You can witness Frank's indomitable spirit by watching two videos:

-- Frank on his 82d birthday, December 13, 2010. CLICK HERE.

-- And Frank honored by the Rhode Island General Assembly at the Rhode Island State House on April 12, 2012. I believe this is the last film ever shot of him. CLICK HERE.

And now, "The Growing Season," which is also available as a paperback and in Kindle from Amazon. ORDER HERE!