Francis “Fran” J. Roberts, 81, of Shelburne, Mass., passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family beside him on Wednesday, Oct. 13. He was born on April 3, 1940, to the late Frank and Helen Roberts of Greenfield, Mass.
He became an Eagle Scout and was selected to attend the Boy Scout National Convention in Ervine, Calif. He was a lifeguard for three years at the Greenfield swimming pool while attending high school.
After graduating from Kimball Union Academy in 1959, he started a new business as Long View Recreational Vehicles. He began with three Apache tent trailers that were delivered on a train, required assembly and were available for sale at his parent’s Long View Tower/Gift shop in Greenfield. This tower with a three-state view from the top became the logo for Long View RV. With a $600 investment, Fran would create the largest and oldest family owned and operated RV dealership today.
Fran married the love of his life, Shirley Gutkowski, on Aug. 23, 1962. Shirley was a registered nurse, who graduated from Franklin County Hospital School of Nursing. Together they would establish an incredible RV business.
Fran graduated from Nichols College in 1964. He was employed by the advertising Department of Millers Falls Tool Co., while selling RVs in his spare time. While at the Greenfield location, the Roberts organized a Coachman camping club known as the Long View Roamers, Chapter 134. In 1975, Fran and Shirley were named Dealer Sponsor of the Year and awarded in the Market Penetration Contest. Fran also served as a director for the RV Dealers of America Association.
In 1984, the business moved to a 5-acre site in Northampton, Mass. In 1993, they acquired a prime location in Windsor Locks, Conn. The name of the company was changed to Long View RV Superstores now that they had two major locations. The Connecticut location has been headed by son Frank who has over 30 years in the RV business.
Many RV manufacturers were added over the years and companies like Coachman, Coleman and Gulfstream offered incentive trips to the top performers. The Roberts family, including their son and daughter, were able to travel the world over the next 20 years. Some of their most memorable trips were to Alaska, Australia, Austria, Bermuda, China, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Rhine River Cruise and Wind Star and Wind Spirit sailing ship cruises. “A life well lived and memories to last a lifetime!”
To read the rest of the full obituary from Legacy.com for Fran Roberts, click here.
