We regret to announce the passing of Atlanta KCOBA Chapter member, Frank Altamont Laughton Subaran, PhD. Frank was a member of the Atlanta Chapter although he lived several hundred miles away. He was struck by traffic after stopping his car on the side of interstate I-81 and trying to cross to the other side on foot near his hometown of New Market, Virginia.

Frank graduated from Kingston College in 1959. After KC, he studied in Scotland where he earned a PhD in Telecommunications in 1970 from the University of Edinburgh after receiving his bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. He later studied economics at the University of London.

Returning to Jamaica after earning his PhD, Frank worked for the now defunct Jamaica International Telecommunications Limited (Jamintel) as Head of Planning. Later, he was seconded to London as the Chief of Operations for the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization. After that he worked in the Future Planning Division of Intelsat in Washington D.C. Most of his work has been in the economic appraisal of engineering alternatives.

Frank retired in 1994 and bought the Blue Ridge Inn, a motel in rural Virginia where he was living at the time of the accident.

Among his contemporaries at KC were people like Tony Johnson, Peter Maxwell, "Bumpy" Clark, Arnaldo and Mabricio Ventura, Jimmy Richards, Rev. Billy Hall, Granville Dowie, Dicky Coke, Martin Coke, Johnathan Earle, Doug Morais, Carlysle Dunkley--whom he would later work for as a special advisor when he was minister of public utilities and transport in the 1970's--Carl Francis, Geddes Campbell, Donald Jones, John Kirkpatrick and Lloyd Demetrius.

While attending KC, Frank often rode the same bus to school with the late Teddy McCook whom he recalled as having a wonderful sense of humor and whose "interpretation of everyday events would keep us in stitches all the way to school, and brightened many a day. Had he not become the great athlete, visionary and leader, he would have easily achieved fame and fortune on the stage."

Frank was one of those Old Boys who always responded with a check or online contribution whenever the call went out for a donation to KC and was a contributor to the George Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The following are some comments about Frank's passing:

"Frank was a true Fortis, of outstanding scholastic achievement. I will pass our condolence to his family. I knew his siblings, particularly his sister." – Dr. Hugh Vaughan

" This is indeed a terrible blow. My deepest sympathies to Frank's family and colleagues." – Oscar.

"This is indeed shocking! A tragic loss to this forum and to Jamaica." – Bernard Channer

"Frank Subaran was a scholastic giant at Kingston College and as a youngster I looked up to him and admired his achievements. He made me feel that I could achieve too and he was one of those who put the purple into the Fortis. God bless his spirit." - Jeff Barnes

"I remember Frank very well. He received a 1960 engineering scholarship to Scotland where he earned a Doctorate in Telecommunications after receiving a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Edinburgh. He was one of the brightest of the 1950s. My condolences to his family and friends." - Errol Lecky

Funeral services were held for Frank on Friday, May 10th 2013 at the Manor Memorial Methodist Church in New Market, Virginia.

The Atlanta Chapter of the KCOBA has made a donation to Paws Atlanta in Frank's memory. Donations in Frank's memory may be made to any no-kill animal shelter.

Frank is survived by his wife Wendy, sons Ryan and Justin; Brother Michael, and Sisters Sonia, Chandra and Erna.

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