Frank Kearing, the founder of Potsdam Tire & Auto in Potsdam, N.Y., has died. He was 97.
Kearing initially entered the tire industry in 1952 with the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. in 1952 in Akron, Ohio, and only retired in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary. He opened the first franchised tire center with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in May 1968 under the name of S&K Tire Co. Inc., and eventually changed its name to Potsdam Tire & Auto Service Inc. (Potsdam Tire is now owned by Kearing's son, Pete Kearing, and is part of the Holyoke Tire Group.)
Potsdam Tire & Auto celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018, according to the North Country This Week, and Frank Kearing's obituary notes his pride in that his original store remains managed by family members today.
Kearing is survived by his wife of 71 years, Beverly, along with five children and their families: Peter, Susan, Mary Patricia, Michael and James.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on July 3 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Longmeadow, Mass. A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 29 at St. Patrick’s Church in Colton, N.Y., followed by interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
