Sunny Skies Again

Honoring Jim Sullivan, the 46th annual “Pop/Joe” golf fundraiser is a smashing success.

by Joel Frohlinger

Organizers of the 46th annual “Pop” Frohlinger/Joe Marchese Memorial Invitational Golf Tournament on September 27 at Brookville Country Club in Brookville, New York, could not have asked for better golf weather, with afternoon temperatures in the low 70s under sunny skies. A committee consisting of your author, Vinnie Moscato, Melissa Frohlinger DiStefano and Vikki Moscato organized the event, which attracted 130 golfers and 148 people for dinner. During the fundraiser for the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF), guests and golfers enjoyed a 50/50 and other raffles, drawings for prizes, contests on the course, a live auction, giveaways and, as always, great food and fellowship.

Our 2021 honoree for the “Gene Frohlinger Distinguished Service Award” was Jim Sullivan of Garden City, New York-based Elevator Systems, Inc. (ESI). Sullivan worked in the elevator industry for more than 50 years before he retired in January 2021. After receiving his B.S. in electrical engineering, Sullivan began his career at Otis as an engineer in 1963. In 1967, he started his own elevator company, United Elevator. He joined ESI in 1974 and, since then, helped shepherd ESI through 40-plus years of growth. He is married to Ann, with whom he has two adult children and two grandchildren.

The outing was established in 1973 as the Galliano Open, and began contributing to the EESF in 1992. In later years, it was renamed to honor the memory of two of the elevator industry’s most distinguished members, Ignatz “Pop” Frohlinger and Joe Marchese. The event could not be held in 2012 because of damage from Hurricane Sandy, nor in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Since 1992, the “Pop” Frohlinger/Joe Marchese golf outing has contributed more than US$600,000 to the Foundation. The September 2021 event was distinguished by the largest donation to EESF to date: US$55,066.12. In addition to honoring past and current industry leaders, the outing aims to assist EESF in educating our children and grandchildren on the safe and proper use of elevators and escalators. Most importantly, it is an opportunity for industry members and friends to enjoy each other’s company, a day of golf, food and fun.

The September 2021 event was distinguished by resulting in the largest donation to EESF to date: US$55,066.12.

The 47th annual “Pop” Frohlinger/Joe Marchese Memorial Invitational will be held at the Brookville Country Club on September 26, 2022.