At 100 years old, Windsor’s David Frank is Home Depot’s oldest employee and continuing to prove he’s as sharp and capable as ever.
For Frank, who has worked at the Division Road store for 23 years, his part-time role in the hardware department feels less like a job and more of an opportunity to connect with people.
“Work is one of those good four-letter words,” said Frank, who became a member of the centenarian club last week. “I like it.”
Born on Nov. 12, 1924, in Montreal, Frank has lived through a century’s worth of experiences, from working in a manufacturing factory during the Second World War to owning and operating Wallpaper World of Windsor as well as a grocery store in Belle River.
Frank said he has always liked working in retail.
“You get to meet the customers themselves,” Frank told the Star. “You hear their problems and you get to help solve them.”
People are often amazed to discover he is still working at his age, but Frank said he takes pleasure in coming to work at the big-box home improvement store and gets fulfillment out of helping customers.
“It keeps me busy and in the loop,” Frank said. “The hours are good, the people are good, and the cheques don’t bounce.”
Store manager Gloria Mattia said she takes great pride in having the company’s oldest employee on her team, adding that “Davie” — as his co-workers call him — is a constant presence in the hardware department or Aisle 18.
“He is an amazing person,” Mattia told the Star. “He truly loves people and I think that is what has kept him here for so long. He loves what he does and he does it because he loves it.
“Not everybody turns 100 … it’s a huge milestone.”
Frank marked his centennial with a special in-store celebration at the Division Road Home Depot last week surrounded by friends, family members, and co-workers. The store even has an officially named row called the David Frank Aisle — also known as Davie Frank Lane — complete with road signs.
“It was nice to see a nice thing happen,” Frank said. “I don’t want the attention, but if it’s a good thing and people feel good with it, that’s the way something should happen.”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens was among the attendees celebrating, offering birthday wishes on behalf of the City of Windsor.
“It was an honour to celebrate David “Davie” Frank’s milestone 100th birthday alongside his family, friends, and fellow employees at Home Depot,” Dilkens said in a post on social media Nov. 14.
“As the oldest employee at Home Depot in North America, Davie has dedicated 23 years to the company, inspiring everyone around him.”
Frank attributes his longevity and good health to “a lot of good genes in the family. He said most members of his family have lived past 100 years old.
“It’s nothing special, it’s just genes,” Frank said. “We don’t put our lives in danger in anyway, you know? We don’t tempt the end.
“And that’s it.”
As for retirement, Frank admitted it has crossed his mind, but he has no plans to slow down anytime soon.
“What would I do? Sit at home and end up getting blisters on my rear end?” Frank said. “No way. I would never want to (spend) it that way.
“I can move around very well and can do a lot of work that a lot people of this age would not.
“I want to stay active.”