from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Frank L. Tingley, 84, of Afton, N.Y., died April 13, 2013, at the Albany VA Medical Center.

He was born April 8, 1929, in Afton, N.Y., the son of George Tingley, a lifelong horseman and farmer, and Gladys (Benedict) Tingley.

Mr. Tingley graduated from Afton High School, where he was active in FFA. He served in the Air Force and later the Air National Guard, retiring as a Master Sargent.

His love was always harness racing, riding on his father’s jog cart as a boy and accompanying him to countless fairs. He drove his first horse at a fair, and later raced at the openings of several pari-mutuel tracks. He trained a large stable at Saratoga in the 1950s and 1960s, where he earned top 10 honors as trainer and driver several years running.

He campaigned many horses over the years, including favorites Gray Flannel, Precious Don and fast class competitor Wolf’s Moses.

He and his wife, Lia, trained at Vernon Downs, then at the Afton Fairgrounds for many years, where he served on the board of directors.

He is survived by Lia, his wife of 20 years; sons, Scott, Fred, Dan and George; daughter, Diane; sister, Ruth Burton; 12 grandchildren; and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Granby.

Harness racing was a family affair, with his father, both sisters and their husbands and several nephews involved in the sport over the years.