Compiled by Joanne Plescia

Frank Abbott Newton was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 7, 1934, to Arthur Abbott Newton and Lavern Newton. He married Mavis Aronson in 1955, and the two remained a devoted team in their community work until her passing in 2017. Frank was a highly decorated United States Air Force officer, public servant, and dedicated community volunteer. He is remembered for a life defined by service, spanning from military combat to local governance and animal welfare.

Frank Newton served for 22 years as an Air Force pilot, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His service took him around the globe, with assignments in London, Madrid, Istanbul, and Ankara, Turkey, as well as domestic bases in Oklahoma and Dover, Delaware. For his service, particularly during the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (the Air Force’s highest honor for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight). He also received two Air Medals and a Bronze Star. Frank was a recipient of the Lammot duPont Memorial Award, the American Red Cross of Delaware’s highest honor for volunteer service.

He was a passionate advocate for animals, serving in leadership positions for the First State Animal Center and SPCA for several decades. His early international military assignments fostered a lifelong love for art, architecture, and international cuisine. He was also an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dover. After retiring from the military in 1976, Frank became a prominent figure in Delaware’s civic life. He served as the Deputy State Treasurer for the State of Delaware and, most importantly to us, he was the Mayor of Slaughter Beach for 12 years.

A very significant change occurred during Frank’s tenure as Mayor. That change was the reincorporation of Slaughter Beach, creating a new town charter. This was no small undertaking as it affected all aspects of governance in the small township. It established a more formal Town Council structure, enhancing decision-making processes. The new charter expanded the power of the mayor’s role, including more administrative and executive responsibilities, enabling better governance. It also granted the town broader powers to levy taxes and fees to support infrastructure and services. With a view towards growth, the new charter introduced improved zoning regulations and a focus on sustainable development practices. Critical to an informed citizenry, it increased opportunities for public involvement, including town meetings and planning sessions. And the charter established a clearer legal framework for governance, enhancing transparency and accountability. The new charter was a much-needed legal expansion for a forward-looking community. Although the charter was approved in 1995, the work towards making it happen was developed by Frank and the council during the years that he led the town as mayor.

However, as busy as Frank was leading the sleepy little town into the 21st century, he had time to develop a hobby that may have been little known, except to his close friends. Frank was an avid embroiderer, leaving us a sample of his work in his embroidered map of Delaware, with Slaughter Beach clearly marked! He was featured in an article in the Milford Chronicle, ca. 1981, about his accomplishments and the fact that he always called Slaughter Beach “home”, despite his many travels.

He is credited with the following quote:

“One of the real comforts in life is what you get from giving to others. That is very rewarding.”
Frank Abbott Newton