Mr. Black served as mayor for a total 18 1/2 years, first taking office in 1969. With two years remaining on his term, he resigned in 1987, saying "it was enjoyable," but his length of service was enough. He also was a town commissioner for 2 1/2 years.

Mr. Black was president of the Frederick County Council of Government and chairman of the board of trustees of the Frederick Citizens Nursing Home. He operated an upholstering business in Thurmont from 1948 until his retirement in 1983. An avid fisherman and hunter, he also loved working in his garden.

Mr. Black was the husband of Emma L. Coleman Black, whom he married Feb. 17, 1946. Born in Frederick, April 5, 1922, he was the son of the late Nora Wilhide. Mr. Black graduated from Thurmont school in 1939 tie served with the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater. He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Sabillasville, where he had served as treasurer and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school, was a member of the Church Consistory, the cemetery fund and Sunday school building fund.

Mr. Black was an honorary life member of Thurmont Guardian Hose Company, the Thurmont Lions Club, and the Edwin C. Creeger Jr. Post 168 American Legion, Thurmont Catoctin Medical Center Board, the advisory board of F&M Bank and the Blue Ridge Cemetery Association.

Surviving besides his wife are three children, Dennis E. Black and wife Judy of Thurmont; Bonnie L. Albaugh and husband Ronald of Rocky Ridge; and Susan L. Hatter and husband Edgar of Sabillasville; two grandsons, James Franklin Black and Edison Joseph Hatter, and many nieces and nephews. He also will be remembered by his two cousins, Lester Wagaman and Richard Wagaman.

Mr. Black is at the Robert E. Dailey & Son Funeral Home 615 E. Main St., Thurmont, where friends may call Sunday, from I to 9 p.m. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. On Monday, Mr. Black will be moved to St. John's United Church of Christ, 16923 Sabillasville Road, Sabillasville, where he will repose from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. service. The Rev. Janet Coming, the Rev. Joanne Craver and the Rev. Linda Lanbert will officiate.

Interment will follow in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Frederick. The family requests that memorials be made to St. John's United Church of Christ, 16923 Sabillasville Road, Sabillasville, Md. 21780.

Do you know of an individual who helped shape Thurmont?
If so, send their story to us at: history@mythurmont.net