Delaware Olympic luger and Wilmington business owner Fank Masley has died.
Delaware Online reported Masley’s passing on Saturday. The cause of death was listed as cancer. He was 56.
Masley competed in three different Winter Olympics in the 1980s in the sport dominated by European teams and carried the U.S. flag in the games in Sarajevo.
Masley went on to work as an engineer for W.L. Gore and Associates.
Masley and his wife Donna later formed Masley Enterprises, a manufacturer of gloves that met the special needs of the military. The idea for the gloves came out of his work at Gore and the belief that the company’s Gore-Tex fiber were away to provide more protection.
Masley went on to learn sewing as he worked to develop the gloves.
After many challenges and setbacks, the company won a military contract. Masley now sells gloves for markets that include winter sports and first responders.
The company was also honored for its community and workforce development efforts.
The company opened a manufacturing site on the East Side of Wilmington, providing jobs in the low-income neighborhood.
Masley had a bachelors degree in engineering and an MBA from Goldey-Beacom College. He was also a graduate of Christiana High School and Delaware Technical Community College.
“My heart aches at the passing of my friend and renowned Delawarean, Frank Masley. Thoughts and prayers to his wife, Donna, and their family and loved ones,” U.S. Rep. John Carney stated.
