A fitting honor at the state Capitol for Frank Cutsforth
In memoriam, “Mr. Canby” got another nod of approval from both his community and his state.
On Monday April 7, Frank Cutsforth was posthumously honored by the Oregon State Legislature with House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 33 for his contributions to his hometown of Canby.
Cutsforth, who died on Nov. 2, 2023, at the age of 79, was the proprietor of Cutsforth’s Market for decades and a respected civic leader who supported charities, local activities and athletic endeavors with passion.
Here is a link to a story I wrote in 2022 on Frank and the family business, which began operation in 1928.
The resolution was written by Christine Drazan, state representative for House District 51, who introduced it on the House floor of the Capitol building in Salem. Four of Cutsforth’s five children were in attendance as Drazan and five others who knew Frank well addressed the floor with testimony, either in person or via Zoom.
“It was awesome,” said Kelsey Cordill, Frank’s daughter. “We were really pleased to be there and to have our father honored in that way.”
Drazan — a Canby resident and the Republican candidate for governor in 2022, when she lost to Tina Kotek — met Cutsforth when she first ran the Oregon House of Representatives in 2018. A classic car enthusiast, Frank orchestrated and Cutsforth’s Market sponsored an annual “Cruise-In” car show featuring hundreds of vintage cars from throughout the Northwest. (The 31st annual Cruise-In event is scheduled for Aug. 23 at Canby’s Wait Park. Proceeds support local non-profits.)
“Like all candidates facing their first July 4 parade, I was in desperate need of a classic car,” Drazan said during the committee hearing. “Frank was the man to see, and he set me up with a shiny red Sting Ray Corvette. We met in the parking lot of Cutsforth’s Thriftway, and he tossed my husband the keys, telling him he could drop it back off at his house any time. That was Frank. If someone in the community needed something, he was there to help.”
Drazan gave a lengthy talk about Cutsforth’s life and his impact on the Canby community.
Cutsforth was “an extraordinary man, a beloved member of our community,” she said. “His legacy will continue to shape the lives of Canby residents for generations to come. Frank was a family man, a community leader and an incredible friend who touched the lives of so many. It is an honor to be here today on behalf of his memory.”
Four citizens spoke on Cutsforth’s behalf.
Ray Keen is executive director of the Canby Center. Frank was one of the founding members of the center, a faith-based organization that serves local families with food, clothing, educational support and youth mentoring. Keen spoke of Frank’s humility.
“If Frank were here today, he would be quick to deflect any praise,” Keen said. “He would point to the incredible people of Canby. He would insist that it wasn’t anything that he did that was special, but I tell you that Frank’s faith in God and in people was very special. Though he would never say it himself, he was an exceptional man.”
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Keen said he met Cutsforth about 10 years ago as he was assuming his current job.
“From Day One, he welcomed me like an old friend,” Keen said. “He made sure that I met the people who made Canby what it is — its leaders, its helpers, its heart. When I let someone go because of bad conduct, Frank called me to see if it would be all right if he hired them to give them a second chance.
“Frank built his grocery store on a foundation laid by generations of generous family before him. If someone was struggling, groceries would quietly appear at their door. On many occasions, Frank himself delivered a full Thanksgiving meal to an elderly couple — no fanfare, just love.”
Charlie Stinson has known Cutsforth and his family through his entire life.
“He was a man who was short in stature but a giant in his compassion and connection with people,” Stinson said. “It seemed like Frank got to know everyone he met, and not just superficially. He would find out where they came from, where they worked, what they enjoyed, and most of all, details about their family. He genuinely loved people, and he took on the challenge of helping as many of them as possible.
“As a third-generation grocer, he gave many high school students their first real job opportunity. Many people, including my daughter, talk fondly of their days working at Cutsforth’s, where they learned what it meant to be employed by someone who cared about their community and how to make your customer’s day just a little brighter by a friendly smile or welcome greeting. This was his way of doing business.”
Stinson said the Canby Rotary Foundation has established the Frank Cutsforth Memorial Scholarship Fund. He will be honored annually through scholarships awarded to local students.
Mallory Gwynn is a former executive director of the Canby Area Chamber of Commerce. He proposed an idea that I think is a good one.
“This man embodied what a community person is all about,” Gwynn said. “His life was a testimony of giving. What do you do to memorialize the legacy of a man like Frank Cutsforth? Do you erect a statue?”
Teresa Sasse, owner of Puddin’ River Chocolates, is Frank’s cousin.
“Frank was everything Canby,” Sasse said. “He was my cousin, my employer, my boss, my best friend. And he was so much more than that.
“There is not a thing that most anybody I know in Canby would not do for that man, because he did everything for the community. Everywhere you looked in Canby, there is a feeling of Frank having been there. We all carry a part of Frank in us. His family will carry on his legacy.”
Several other citizens wrote to the House to endorse the resolution honoring Frank. I was one. My letter:
“I did not know Frank Cutsforth long -- only three or four years. I'm not sure how we met. It was probably while I was shopping at Cutsforth's. He was familiar with my name as a longtime sportswriter in the area, and we shared a love of sports. Soon he was a sponsor of my website. In turn, I wrote a piece on the long history of Cutsforth's Market in Canby dating to 1928, initially run by Frank's grandfather, Frank T. Cutsforth. Through it all I became familiar with the Cutsforth legend as a family of great community members and humanitarians. Frank and wife Kathe carried that on with style, and so have his offspring through the years.
“Frank and I became fast friends; I am sure he had many of them, but when we were together, it was just the two of us. I have not met many people who were more giving to their community. They ran Cutsforth Market as a business but also like a community center. Frank was a role model for many, including his kids. ‘Everyone loves him,’ son Tanner told me. ‘He is Mr. Canby. He is always there for the community, willing to do anything.’
“When we lost Frank, I was crestfallen. For me, it was a personal loss of a great friend. For the Canby community, it was a tremendous blow to everyone. You don't get over the loss of a person the quality of Frank Cutsforth easily.”
Following is a video copy of those who spoke about Frank at the House hearing:
Recording 2025-04-08 143347.mp4
Recording 2025-04-08 144431.mp4
Recording 2025-04-08 144810.mp4
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