Frank Elefante

Frank Elefante, age 92, of Lincoln Park, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 6, 2023.

Frank was the sixth born child of Joseph and Victoria (DiGrazia) Elefante’s seven children. Born in New York City, he grew up in a railroad tenement home on 103rd Street in Harlem.

After graduating from high school, Frank worked several jobs, including for a premier clock maker in New York City named Mr. Froh, before finding his calling in the field of horticultural nurseries in 1950. Frank started as a delivery person for “Nielsen’s Flowers” on East 28th Street in the flower district of New York City. Soon after, his career with Nielsen’s ventured into plantscaping and holiday decorating before he moved into sales for the company. As a salesman his first challenge came from none other than a fellow company salesman who wanted all the sales success for himself and would not give Frank the company pricing. Frank met this challenge by employing a strategy of selling everything for pennies. It was a brilliant tactical move as it drove all the business to himself, undercut the other salesman and quickly got Mr. Nielsen’s attention. In the long run, Frank’s keen business acumen resulted in a long-term position for him and the other salesman was shown the door. In 1952, Franks boss purchased a 28-acre farm in Lincoln Park, NJ and started a horticultural nursery. Then, in 1958, he and his now nursery manager, Frank Elefante, were among the first pioneers in the Northeast to begin growing shrubs and trees in cans above the ground – making for greatly increased portability. In 1976, Mr. Nielsen retired and Frank took over and was joined by his eldest son, James --- and so began Nielsen-Elefante Nurseries. The business continues to the present and, while Frank officially retired, he still frequently showed up to work as recently as three weeks before his passing.

One night, Frank’s buddies dragged him out to a dance at a local church. He had to be dragged because he had just learned that his former girlfriend had just got engaged that day and Frank was feeling down. Little did he realize that his life would change forever that night when he had the pleasure of meeting a fine young lady named Vivian Vessichio  At the end of the evening, Frank offered Vivian a ride home and then he asked her for her number. Trying to be politely coy, she said she had nothing to write her number down on. Frank didn’t miss a beat. He pulled a cocktail napkin out of his pocket and suggested that Vivian write down her number with “that beautiful lipstick you’re wearing tonight.” It took three weeks before they went out on a date because, every time she returned his call, Frank’s mother, whose English was not so good, answered the phone and never got the message right that Vivian called. To make a long story just a tiny bit longer, they fell in love and married on January 23rd,  1955 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in the Bronx, NY and honeymooned in the Poconos. Frank almost didn’t make the wedding because he went with his groomsman to Tavern on the Green the night before and had a little bit too good of a time.

Pardon the pun but, being a man in the nursery business, Frank put down deep roots in Lincoln Park. A resident since 1957, He served the town in various capacities including as the shade tree commissioner and, in  1968, he agreed to volunteer as a special Lincoln Park Police Reserves and Civil Defense Director. The town leaders sold him on the idea by convincing him that it was an easy job because nothing ever really happened. Then came the great floods of 1968 and all Frank had was a town-issued boat that would not float.

Frank volunteered for many years as a member of the Pequannock UNICO. UNICO was founded in 1922 to unite people of Italian heritage in an organization to perform charitable, patriotic and educational deeds. UNICO’s motto is “Service Above Self”. UNICO means “unique” or “only one of its kind” in Italian and additionally, the letters represent: U-Unity, N-Neighborliness, I-Integrity, C-Charity and O-Opportunity. This was an organization that upheld the great ideals that Frank believed in. He served valiantly and in 2021, he was awarded the UNICO Lifetime Achievement Award.

In his spare time, Frank enjoyed playing with his clocks – a lifelong love he derived from his work for Mr. Froh the clock maker as a young man. He liked putzing with his koi pond, trading stocks, and ballroom dancing with his beloved wife Vivian. Frank was an all-around well-loved man who made friends wherever he went. He was well-known for telling jokes and great stories. He also wrote poetry and even wrote his autobiography – a treasure his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and further generations will enjoy forever.

Frank was the beloved husband of Vivian (Vessichio), blessed in a cherished marriage until her passing in 2007. He was the dear father of: James and wife Debbie Elefante of Lincoln Park, Andrew Elefante and wife Donna of Lincoln Park, Joseph Elefante of Pompton Plains, and Gina McKenna and husband John of Lincoln Park; dear brother of: Jim Elefante, Lucy Elefante, Mike Elefante, Anne Damico, and Joe Elefante, all predeceased, and Toni Tantillo and husband Frank of North Hills; adored grandfather of Daniel, Anna, Alexis, and Ryan Elefante and the late Luke Warbeck; and adoring great-grandfather of Charlie and Nora Elefante. He is also survived by numerous, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

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Those planning an expression of sympathy in Frank’s name are asked to consider two charitable organizations that were close to Frank’s heart:

UNICO National

271 US-46 F103

Fairfield, NJ 07004

If you donate to UNICO online, please take the time to send an email to UnicoNational@UNICO.org to indicate that you made a donation in Frank Elefante's memory. This will ensure that Unico can let his family know of your generosity. Thanks.

Wounded Warrior Project

P.O. Box 78516

Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516

To print a mailable donation form to include with a check, CLICK HERE