Joseph Frank

Joseph Frank passed away peacefully at home on July 9th, 2016. A Wayne resident for over fifty years, Joe was born in the College Point neighborhood of Queens, New York to Austrian immigrants Casper and Sophie Frank. They later moved to Butler, New Jersey where Joe and his younger sister Eve grew up, both maintaining a fond lifelong connection to their hometown. Shortly after the beginning of World War II, on the day he turned eighteen, Joe enlisted in the US Navy. He quickly rose to the rank of third-class petty officer, serving as a medic. Joe's swimming screening test and mastery of high-diving qualified him for the Amphibious Scout and Raider School, later known as the US Navy SEALs. In his later years he often proudly recounted his service in World War II.Upon graduating from the University of Miami on the GI Bill, Joe started his career at Bendix Aviation, McDonnell Douglas, and General Dynamics where he spent thirty-seven years in New Jersey and Missouri developing avionics for the F-14, F-15, and F-16 fighter aircraft, and engineered technology used in nuclear submarines. Joe was among the Bendix engineers awarded recognition by NASA for their engineering contribution to the Apollo 11 moon landing.Joe's cherished wife Marion passed away shortly after their forty-second wedding anniversary in 1996. Their devoted marriage produced four children they lovingly raised together. At their children's weddings Joe and Marion were known to clear the floor with their brilliant, crowd-pleasing rendition of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers style dancing. The family often traveled to The United States Military Academy at West Point and other historic sites, while finding time annually to relax together at the Jersey shore. Joe was a dedicated father to his children and he treasured his twelve grandchildren. Joe and Marion were founding members of Our Lady of Consolation Roman Catholic Church in Wayne where Joe was a devoted parishioner and weekly communicant of unshakable faith for fifty-seven years. He enjoyed serving as an usher for OLC in his retirement.Joe had a passionate, informed interest in the history of the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II. He possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of fighter aircraft, battleships, and aircraft carriers. Other interests he pursued in his retirement were reading, gardening, fishing, sports, and classic Hollywood films. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Tuesday, July 12, 2016, 11AM at Our Lady of Consolation Church, Wayne, NJ. Burial to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Butler, NJ. Arrangements entrusted to the Morrison Funeral Home, Butler, NJ He will be deeply missed by all who loved him. To honor his compassionate service as a medic donations in his memory would be gratefully accepted by Doctors Without Borders. donate.doctorswithoutborders.org SERVICES Funeral Service Tuesday, July 12, 2016 11:00 AM Our Lady of Consolation Church 1799 Hamburg Turnpike Wayne, NJ 07470 Burial Tuesday, July 12, 2016 12:00 PM Mt. Calvary Cemetery Bartholdi Ave. Butler, NJ 07405