Jim Frio

WHEELING – Wheeling auctioneer Jim Frio – a pioneer in the online auction industry also known for his passion for boxing – passed away early Saturday morning.

Frio, 75, died at about 4 a.m. Saturday while in hospice care following a lengthy illness, according to Shane Stack, his partner at Frio & Stack Auction Services.

Frio was an auctioneer for over 40 years, and a member of the West Virginia Auctioneers Hall of Fame.

He was a two-time West Virginia Bid Calling Grand Champion; a member of the West Virginia Governor’s Auctioneer Board of Professional Review; a former executive director of the West Virginia Auctioneers Association; and a former owner of Frio Contracting, Jim Frio Promotions, Island Pawn Brokers and Frio & Stack Auction Service.

He was a past president of Crow Hollow Miners, as well as a former chairman of the West Virginia State Boxing/Athletic Commission, and a certified boxing judge.

“He was a real pioneer in the online auction industry,” Stack explained. “He and other folks invested in an online auction company, AuctionZip.com, and it blew up. Then they sold out to eBay.

“That was really what kicked off the online auction industry.”

Stack termed Frio an experienced mentor for him.

“He had been in the auction business for about 30 years at that time,” he explained. “He was from the old school auctioneers, the typical stand on the stage and sell all the items type.

“But he accepted the new school — and embraced it, really, the idea for online auctions. He was able to make that transition easily while a lot of auctioneers fought that. That was big for me to see both sides of the industry.”

Frio & Stack Auction Service continues to use that website for their online auctions, he continued.

When COVID hit in 2020, live auctions “went away” for an extended time, Stack continued.

“I think we were the only auction company in the valley who could do online auctions, so it was easy for us to transition during COVID.”

It was 12 years ago that Frio and Stack got together as business partners. Stack had just been laid off from a job at West Liberty University when he saw Frio’s ad for a part-time pawnbroker needed at his pawn shop, Island Pawn and Gun.

“I thought it sounded like a fun job until I found a real job,” Stack said. “I went in, and we hit it off.”

Within a month, Stack was helping Frio with auctions. After about five years, Stack started the buyout of Frio’s auction business.

Seven years ago, the business officially became known as Frio & Stack Auction Service

Frio grew up on Wheeling Island with his brother Rick.

Rick Frio said late Saturday morning the time for his brother’s services would not be known until Sunday.

He called him a “hell of an auctioneer” and “the best big brother” a guy could have.

“I remember when he was loading coal and working a front-end loader, and he said, ‘I am going to be an auctioneer.'” Rick Frio said. “He practiced for a year at calling. Then he met (an auctioneer) named Walt Hartman. Walt took him under his wing.

“He became an auctioneer and he just rocked it. He had a wonderful voice, and people loved him.”

Rick Frio noted that his brother was joined by his late wife Karen in the endeavor, and that “they made an amazing team.

“The two started an auction service, and it grew it into a business,” Rick Frio said. “It shows what you can do if you want to do it.”

Jim and Karen Frio had one daughter, Katie, and three grandchildren, of whom he was “very proud,” according to his brother.

“It was a good run. We only get one run, and the void will be hard to fill,” Rick Frio said. “We are going to celebrate all his accomplishments.”

Frio was best friends with Wheeling attorney Bob Fitzsimmons, and both served on the West Virginia State Boxing/Athletic Commission.

“We met every Sunday for a business meeting and did that for many years,” Fitzsimmons said. “We talked about boxing, auctions, business, politics, health and other things.

“We would meet outside the office for coffee or tea and talk for almost an hour.”

Fitzsimmons said Frio was “a tough guy.”

“He was hard-nosed and tough, and he liked that reputation,” he continued. “When you called him tough, you would get a smirk and smile when you said that.

“He was not a big guy. He fought cancer for many years. He fought it, fought it and fought it until it finally got him.”

Frio was “very mature, very smart, and driven by his family and community,” Fitzsimmons said.

“He was a neat guy. People loved being around him and you just felt good afterwards,” he continued. “He was a great friend, and he will be missed by a lot of people.”