GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. -- A pilot and well-known Greensboro community leader was killed after a small plane crash at Air Harbor Airport Wednesday afternoon.
The Guilford County Sheriff's Office told WFMY News 2, the pilot, 74-year-old Frank Richard Mascia, Jr. died during the crash.
Deputies said Guilford Metro 911 received a call around 2:30 p.m. about the small plane experiencing difficulty shortly after take-off.
Multiple local agencies and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the crash.
Frank Mascia is an accomplished businessman and a community leader. He was the CEO at UnitedHealthCare for more than 19 years and served on numerous boards in Greensboro. He also helped co-found the Greensboro Police Foundation. According to city leaders, he paved the way for the police department to get body worn cameras.
"He was a leader when it came to body worn cameras and because of the foundation, our entire patrol division is outfitted with them," Mayor Nancy Vaughan said.
The Greensboro Police Department said this about Mascia in a statement, "He was a true man of strong character, endless enthusiasm, and honor. And we shall surely miss him."
Council member Zack Matheny said he had just seen Mascia had a community luncheon earlier in the day.
"You lose somebody that you love and you lose somebody who's been so good for the community and you lose somebody you just saw, an hour before," Matheny said. "I was very lucky to call him a friend and I was very lucky to have him as a mentor."
WFMY News 2 also spoke with the other co-founder of the police foundation, Oliver Lloyd. "I think he was the most genuine guy that I ever met here. He just loved the community and certainly had a huge heart. Still very shocking to me and our whole police foundation board," he said.
Thursday, The Guilford Courthouse National Military Park released a statement on behalf of the National Park Service.
"Guilford Courthouse National Military Park would like to express its sorrow at the loss of a great friend and park advocate. Frank Mascia worked tirelessly for the Park as a volunteer and as a past President of the Park's Friends Group the Guilford Battleground Company. In 2005 out of 64 parks in the nine States of the NPS Southeast Region, Frank was selected to represent 18,000+ volunteers as NPS Volunteer of the Year for the Region. Frank loved the National Parks! Whether he was directing "bear jams" at Grand Teton National Park where he volunteered during the last few summers, helping with special events at Guilford Courthouse or raising money for special Park projects for the Guilford Battleground Company, he was always smiling and always a positive public face for the NPS. Frank was one of a kind and he will be sorely missed. All of our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sandy and their family."
Flags at city buildings in Greensboro will fly at half-staff to honor Mascia through Friday.
Visitation for Mascia will be Sunday 5-7 p.m, at Haynes Lineberry on 515 N. Elm St. The service is Monday 11-12:30 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church on 2210 N. Elm St. He will be cremated, therefore there will be no burial.
FACTS ABOUT FRANK MASCIA:
- 19 years as CEO of United Healthcare, stepped down in 2004
- Currently founder and principal of Mascia & Associates, formed in 2006
- Veteran of the US Air Force, Special Agent with Office of Special Investigations
- Penn State graduate
MOST RECENT:
- Greensboro Police Foundation, President
- Guilford Battleground Company, President
- Leadership North Carolina Board of Directors, Past Chairman
- United Healthcare Children's Foundation, Board member
- Cone Health Foundation, Chair of Communications & Advocacy Committee
PAST ACTIVITIES:
- NC State HMO Association, Founder
- Greensboro Chapter of the American Heart Association, Chairman
- Greensboro Chamber of Commerce Board, Member
- UNCG School of Nursing Advisory Board, Member
- GTCC Foundation Board, Member
- Chair for the JDRF Walk for the Cure
Greensboro Police Department's Full Statement:
"This afternoon, the Greensboro Police Department lost one its greatest supporters, our city lost one of its brightest stars, and a family lost a loving man. We are heartbroken about the loss of Frank Mascia, President of our Police Foundation.
Frank was an incredible man whose passion for making life better for others inspired those around him to do the same.
Frank has touched so many lives and left so many tangible legacies throughout this city and beyond.
The men and women of the Greensboro Police Department are honored to have known him and proud to call him a member of our family.
He was a true man of strong character, endless enthusiasm, and honor. And we shall surely miss him."
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