This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, March 16, 2011 - Francis R. Slay, the father of Mayor Francis G. Slay and a politician in his own right, died shortly after 8 a.m. this morning at St. Anthony's Medical Center at the age of 83.
The mayor was with his father, who had been suffering from heart disease, an associate said.
The elder Slay had been an alderman, a state legislator and the city's recorder of deeds. His longest political role was as the committeeman for the city's 23rd Ward, a post he held for 45 years.
But like most politicians of his day, Francis R. Slay had another "real job." He was a restauranteur, operating Slay's restaurant for many years with a brother (the current mayor had been a waiter and maitre'd in his youth), and later overseeing The Cedars in the St. Raymond's complex.
At The Cedars, the elder Slay presided for decades over the city's unofficial power lunch that took place every Wednesday. Everybody who was anybody often made a point of stopping by. Politics wasn't the only draw; the quality of the food was stellar.
Francis R. Slay and his wife, Anna May, also raised 11 children. Each has a version of Gerard in his or her name, in honor of St. Gerard, the patron saint of motherhood. (That's the "G" in Mayor Slay's name.) The couple did so after their firstborn died.
Francis R. Slay was known for his good humor and dogged commitment to Democratic politics. During part of his four-year tenure in the Missouri House, from 1967-71, the elder Slay served as majority caucus chairman. He was elected the city's recorder of deeds in 1970 and served eight years.
Two years ago, the city named a park after Francis R. Slay (appropriately, one that had been used by his children and sports teams sponsored by his restaurant). Last year, the Board of Aldermen passed a resolution honoring his career and his life.
Gov. Jay Nixon offered his condolences at an unrelated news conference this morning.
"Our prayers today are with Mayor Slay and his family. The mayor's father - Francis Slay - was a strong leader and a pillar of our city and our state over many, many years," Nixon said. "As an elected city official, as a state legislator, as an entrepreneur, father, husband and many of deep faith, he made a real and lasting difference for his community."
U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis, also issued a statement: "I spoke with the mayor earlier today to extend my heartfelt condolences on the loss of his father. Francis Slay Sr., was a committed member of the Church and the St. Louis community, a stalwart Democrat, and most importantly a dedicated family man. One thing is for sure -- lunch at the Cedars will never be the same without his presence."
Said Comptroller Darlene Green this afternoon: "My prayers go out to the Slay family. Francis was a good friend who gave back so much to the St. Louis community. He will be missed by many, but his legacy of public service and charity lives on."
