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February 18, 2017
Services
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 5-9 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
Funeral services will be held at 9:00 AM on Friday, February 24, 2017 from the funeral home then to Our Lady of the Valley RC Church, 630 Valley Road, Wayne where a 10:00 AM Mass will be offered, followed by entombment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Saddle Brook.
Frank DiGirolamo, “Mr. D” age 87, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 18, 2017.
Born at home in Garfield, Frank was raised there and attended Garfield High School where he starred on the school’s Boilermakers football team.
Frank proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1955. While stationed in Italy in 1954 during the Korean Conflict, he was the recipient of the Best Soldier Award, bestowed upon him by the 7617 USFA Support Command for earning the highest ranking in loyalty, dependability, cooperation, initiative, judgment, tact, command ability, military bearing, attention to duty and setting a good example. By his actions he materially increased the efficiency of his section and was an inspiration to his fellow soldiers as well as a credit to his command. They even had a parade in Italy for Frank. As the parade was going on, Frank saw an American flag and, saluting it, his General told him not to because this day was to honor him! He was most proud of that accomplishment. He was also the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal. Upon his return to civilian life Frank went on to serve actively as a member of the VFW and American Legion.
Frank fell in love with Phyllis Vanecek and they married September 24, 1955 at Holy Name Church in Garfield. Together, they enjoyed a storied marriage blest with two great sons and the love of many friends. The two of them loved to entertain guests at their house, complete with full bars inside and outside the house and parties every weekend with 20 to 30 friends regularly in attendance, having a good time by the pool. At Christmas time Frank enjoyed serving fried fish and all his vegetables were always the freshest. One time he even got lost in the woods while searching for wild mushrooms, and everyone enjoyed Frank’s stuffed pizza on New Year’s Eve – a tradition which will live on in his two sons. He also loved going party boat fishing off of Manasquan and Point Pleasant.
Frank was founder and president of F. DiGirolamo & Son, Inc. Construction Company, established in 1977 which specialized in retail store renovations, demolition, and environmental services. He was a member of Carpenters Local Union 253, Hackensack.
Frank served in Garfield as chairman of the Board of Adjustments and dedicated his time and talent to building the setting for the bell in front of Garfield’s town hall. His greatest passion though was participating in Garfield’s drum and bugle corps. As a young kid growing up, Frank was a member of the championship Drum and Bugle Corps Holy Name Cadets of Garfield. As an adult, while involved with the Garfield Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, he created and directed the First Garfield Plebes and Feeder Corps to the Garfield Cadets. This later becoming the Epochs Drum and Bugle Corps. So dedicated was Frank to inspiring young kids, he onetime took a second mortgage on his house, just to front the money needed to get them new uniforms and instruments. This was essential to moving them from a parade corps to a field corps and to helping them compete against much more established drum and bugle corps. The three big annual competitions took place in Wildwood, Marion, Ohio, and Lynn Massachusetts. He spared no expense to help the kids have a winning attitude and while many other bugle corps traveled to competitions by school bus, Frank’s bugle corps always traveled by coach. His efforts paid off as the Epochs Drum and Bugle Corps won many awards during their existence including the state championship in 1971.
For countless years Frank and Phyllis were faithful parishioners, attending every Sunday at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne where they moved in 1993.
Frank was a great story teller. He could tell story after story and he was always good for a joke too. He’ll be missed for all the qualities that he possessed and shared freely as a soldier, co-worker, volunteer, husband, father and brother.
Frank was predeceased by his beloved wife of 43 years - Phyllis Vanecek DiGirolamo; his father and mother Tony and Lucille DiGirolamo, and his brother Jerry DiGirolamo. He is survived by his two dear sons: Drew and Glen DiGirolamo, both of Wayne; and his brother Vito and wife Lucy DiGirolamo of Paramus.
Those planning an expression of sympathy in Frank’s name are asked to consider Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church, or Friends of Wayne Animals (FOWA) P.O. Box 3701, Wayne, NJ 07470.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 5-9 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
Funeral services will be held at 9:00 AM on Friday, February 24, 2017 from the funeral home then to Our Lady of the Valley RC Church, 630 Valley Road, Wayne where a 10:00 AM Mass will be offered, followed by entombment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Saddle Brook.
February 18, 2017
Services
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, February 23, 2017 from 5-9 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
Funeral services will be held at 9:00 AM on Friday, February 24, 2017 from the funeral home then to Our Lady of the Valley RC Church, 630 Valley Road, Wayne where a 10:00 AM Mass will be offered, followed by entombment at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Saddle Brook.
Frank DiGirolamo, “Mr. D” age 87, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 18, 2017.
Born at home in Garfield, Frank was raised there and attended Garfield High School where he starred on the school’s Boilermakers football team.
Frank proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1955. While stationed in Italy in 1954 during the Korean Conflict, he was the recipient of the Best Soldier Award, bestowed upon him by the 7617 USFA Support Command for earning the highest ranking in loyalty, dependability, cooperation, initiative, judgment, tact, command ability, military bearing, attention to duty and setting a good example. By his actions he materially increased the efficiency of his section and was an inspiration to his fellow soldiers as well as a credit to his command. They even had a parade in Italy for Frank. As the parade was going on, Frank saw an American flag and, saluting it, his General told him not to because this day was to honor him! He was most proud of that accomplishment. He was also the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal. Upon his return to civilian life Frank went on to serve actively as a member of the VFW and American Legion.
Frank fell in love with Phyllis Vanecek and they married September 24, 1955 at Holy Name Church in Garfield. Together, they enjoyed a storied marriage blest with two great sons and the love of many friends. The two of them loved to entertain guests at their house, complete with full bars inside and outside the house and parties every weekend with 20 to 30 friends regularly in attendance, having a good time by the pool. At Christmas time Frank enjoyed serving fried fish and all his vegetables were always the freshest. One time he even got lost in the woods while searching for wild mushrooms, and everyone enjoyed Frank’s stuffed pizza on New Year’s Eve – a tradition which will live on in his two sons. He also loved going party boat fishing off of Manasquan and Point Pleasant.
Frank was founder and president of F. DiGirolamo & Son, Inc. Construction Company, established in 1977 which specialized in retail store renovations, demolition, and environmental services. He was a member of Carpenters Local Union 253, Hackensack.
Frank served in Garfield as chairman of the Board of Adjustments and dedicated his time and talent to building the setting for the bell in front of Garfield’s town hall. His greatest passion though was participating in Garfield’s drum and bugle corps. As a young kid growing up, Frank was a member of the championship Drum and Bugle Corps Holy Name Cadets of Garfield. As an adult, while involved with the Garfield Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, he created and directed the First Garfield Plebes and Feeder Corps to the Garfield Cadets. This later becoming the Epochs Drum and Bugle Corps. So dedicated was Frank to inspiring young kids, he onetime took a second mortgage on his house, just to front the money needed to get them new uniforms and instruments. This was essential to moving them from a parade corps to a field corps and to helping them compete against much more established drum and bugle corps. The three big annual competitions took place in Wildwood, Marion, Ohio, and Lynn Massachusetts. He spared no expense to help the kids have a winning attitude and while many other bugle corps traveled to competitions by school bus, Frank’s bugle corps always traveled by coach. His efforts paid off as the Epochs Drum and Bugle Corps won many awards during their existence including the state championship in 1971.
For countless years Frank and Phyllis were faithful parishioners, attending every Sunday at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne where they moved in 1993.
Frank was a great story teller. He could tell story after story and he was always good for a joke too. He’ll be missed for all the qualities that he possessed and shared freely as a soldier, co-worker, volunteer, husband, father and brother.
Frank was predeceased by his beloved wife of 43 years - Phyllis Vanecek DiGirolamo; his father and mother Tony and Lucille DiGirolamo, and his brother Jerry DiGirolamo. He is survived by his two dear sons: Drew and Glen DiGirolamo, both of Wayne; and his brother Vito and wife Lucy DiGirolamo of Paramus.
Those planning an expression of sympathy in Frank’s name are asked to consider Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church, or Friends of Wayne Animals (FOWA) P.O. Box 3701, Wayne, NJ 07470.
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