Every morning, we students get out of bed in the morning and walk to school. On our walk to school we are always greeted with cheerful, happy-faced people in neon-yellow uniforms. We say, “Good morning,” “thank you!” “Have a good day,” to them, and repeat the same on the way back to school. Unfortunately most of us don’t know a single thing about them, let alone their name.
So this afternoon, I walked on the familiar way to my house and stopped on the crossing of Jefferson Avenue & Sunset Lane to talk to the beloved Frank Sheehan, and learn more about the people who help us cross every day on our way to school. “Good afternoon! How are you?” he always says with a cheerful smile on his face.
“I was a carpet installer for 37 years and I drove a truck for 15 years,” he said concerning his job before being a crossing guard. As he was answering, a friend walking by shouted, “Enjoy your evening,” and in a joking manner he replied, “I’m being interviewed here, lady!” She laughed and shined a smile back at him, showcasing Frank’s deep ties with the people in this town.
While everyone in Tenafly knows Frank, he himself doesn’t live in Tenafly but in Dumont, New Jersey. He drives every morning and afternoon to Tenafly to help kids cross, for approximately an hour, meaning he spends roughly two hours every day helping us Tenaflicians. And, he has been doing this job for the past four years.
Frank Sheehan is 73 years old, but you wouldn’t guess it from the energy in his step. “I do it to get out of the house,” he admitted with a grin. “But mostly, I get to be around all you wonderful kids. I find that this is the future of America, and I want to be part of it.” His eyes twinkled as he glanced at a passing group of students, who all smiled back at him.
Frank’s bond with the students is unmistakable; he remembers not only faces but names, greeting each one with enthusiasm, as if they were the only person on his route. It’s not just a job for him, it’s a daily connection, a way to stay rooted in the community even if it isn’t his own. “The kids make it fun,” he said simply, pausing to wave to a car that honked in friendly acknowledgment.
As I walked away, Frank gave me one final reminder: “Remember to look both ways, and have a great day!” And with that, he returned to his post, a sentinel of the morning and afternoon, his neon vest flashing in the autumn sunlight. For the students of Tenafly, he’s more than just a crossing guard—he’s the friendly face that starts and ends their school day with a smile.
