rank (Zoro) Spicer Sr *1933-2011* KA2ZOR - Extra Class - A concert accordionist born Bridgeton
NJ the Tri County region and the family moved to the Vineland area when he was a youngster. He andwife Barbara have raised their family have been there in residence since. Some have an extra cross to bear.
Frank was the first blind individual to graduate from public school in New Jersey and the draft board waswaiting to draft him. His father helped in the cause and the misunderstanding was corrected.

FFrank Spicer became blind at the age of twelve, was a good high school student. He was athletic and enjoyeddancing. He played accordion in the school band. At only 5ft - 6 inches he had that familiar sweet C.W.
voice over the years on the 40 Meter band out of Southern New Jersey. There was a time when our subject
had not been heard and yours truly began to wonder. I learned Frank’s close pal and regular sked John Bosse
WA1PFC had expired. I am aware first hand how hard that hits, my pal W8GGX-W8KEG expired over ayear ago in Columbus and it has been tough without those daily skeds on CW. That fix of CW truly is apick-me-up.
Zoro is a special guy and deserves admiration
having to cope with many things in his life, first atage 12 - he became blind, then at age 28 became
deaf. That is one reason why Frank and John got
along so well on the bands, you see, John washandicapped too, he was blind and could not hear
either. I know of another ham WA1OPN YL Gaylethat suffered with the same malady. Her problem
was so severe it ruined her balance. Though severe
it may be, our friends didn’t look at it as such. But
rather they would treat it as a bump in life. Frank istruly my Z-Man Hero!
Would anyone deliberately QRM those gifted handicapped folks enjoying a bit of CW fun? Human natureis truly deceitful at times, I’ve heard rude comments, remarks not suited for the hobby and worse. Yet ourfriends accepted it all with a grin. Z-Man has over 35,000 contacts to his credit! Zoro advised me the locals
came in from Vineland in the late 70's and surrounding places and gave him the help that he had always
needed to get going in ham radio. The long sessions of CW practice, the camaraderie and the exams. Hewent all the way up to Extra Class! The graphs and theory were not a challenge. When he got his call the“Zoro” thing stuck from the boys. Frank’s first station rig was a Ten-Tec Century style. Sentimental likemyself, Zoro KA2ZOR kept the rig for posterity. The station antenna, a G5RV of choice.
None of it stops here, you see Zoro has been a concert accordionist for over 50 years but had to curtail a lotof the activity and has enjoyed playing in the seniors circuit & church atmosphere since then. He also
proofreads Braille, for the National Library Service. Does Z-Man do “Lady of Spain?” For sure!
Now you know a small amount of the story of the kind and talented Southern NJ gent, Zoro – He was a rag
chewer and I’ve rarely seen folks that love ham radio more than Zoro, John WA1PFC or Gayle WA1OPN.
John are gone too. We miss them on those quiet bands we have now. CW is still there and always patiently,
awaits that individual no matter if sightless, deaf or otherwise. How is it done? A modified speaker ortransducer can be used and the sense of touch on the device determines what the operator is reading. I
recently read of skin buzzers.
I was Zoro’s first contact after his broken hand in an accident. He still had plenty of talent but lost a step.
His XYL Barb could set the equipment since she knows radio. May the thought of these people inspire us
to do good things for humanity. Zoro is gone now, enjoying the Heavenly Host. His key absent on 70157040 kc, week days. (It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life that no man can sincerely try tohelp another without helping himself - Ralph Waldo Emerson) W8SU 2007 added 2014