About Frank Shade

Frank Shade, 61, lives in Nesbitt Station just outside Lewes with his wife, BJ, and his mother-in-law, for whom they are caregivers. Frank and BJ have two grown children and two grandchildren.

Frank has worked for Sussex County for 20 years. For the last 11 years, he has ensured that taxpayers’ money is spent wisely as the county’s Director of Purchasing and Fleet Management. For nine years he served as Manager of the county’s paramedic division. As one of the original 10 paramedics hired to launch the program, Frank’s team had to spec out and purchase everything from band aids to medic units, getting the greatest possible value with limited resources. Under Frank’s direction they build a first-class paramedic division – hiring and training most of the paramedics in the system today.

In addition to rescuing and treating sick and injured individuals as a paramedic, Frank served for years as a volunteer firefighter in Lewes. A number of county residents credit Frank with saving their lives – sometimes as a paramedic/firefighter, other times as tireless volunteer who has raised much-needed money for individuals who have been widowed, orphaned or stricken with disease. Some of their personal stories are available by clicking the Tributes button above. 

Frank’s volunteer work also extends to charitable and service organizations. He is a founding member and board member of the Sussex County Cancer Survivors Fund, established to raise money for patient needs at the Tunnel Cancer Center. The Fund works with the American Cancer Society, but through Frank’s efforts 100 percent of the money raised is used to benefit Sussex County citizens. Frank also serves on the board of the Lower Delaware Autism Foundation and has for years been actively involved in helping seniors through CHEER, which benefited his late father and currently benefits his mother-in-law. In addition, Frank is actively involved as a fundraiser for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Frank may be best known for turning the World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association’s annual fall event from a local backwoods curiosity into an internationally famous spectacle that draws more than 80 thousand people into the county during the off-season – providing a huge source of revenue to local businesses, generating $15 thousand to $20 thousand in scholarships each year for deserving local students and contributing tens of thousands of dollars to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and other charitable organizations. 

You can see Frank’s full resume at Frank Facts.

Frank has proven,
time-tested 
leadership ability. Vote for Frank Shade November 2nd to represent all the people of the 37th District.