DANVER, MA—New York State lost a true icon of construction industry leadership earlier this year when longtime association executive and advocate Francis X. McArdle, former managing director of the General Contractors Association of New York, Inc., passed away after a short illness on May 15 in Danvers, MA. He was 82.

A train enthusiast and infrastructure maven, “Frank” McArdle earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and did graduate work at Syracuse’s Maxwell School of Public Policy. He served  in multiple posts in New York City government, culminating in three years at the helm of the Department of Environmental Protection under New York City Mayor Koch.

For most of the following three decades that followed, he served for 24 years as the GCA’s top executive where he was a tireless champion for more investment in the city’s critical infrastructure. He was also a longstanding member of the Moles, and served on the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission.

When Mr. McArdle was not talking trains, roads and tunnels, he was an avid fan of old books, traditional Irish music and dance, travel and cat puns. He is survived by his sisters Patricia and Regina McArdle, daughters Megan (Peter Suderman) and Nora McArdle, and his niece, nephew and four great-nieces and nephews, and pre-deceased by his sister, Catherine McArdle Kelleher. All who know him will miss his infinite store of trivia, his deep enthusiasm, and his puckish sense of humor.