Frank J. Pollaro

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frank Pollaro, age 76 of Wayne, NJ.  

Frank passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 while receiving the loving care of his family.  Frank was born and raised in Passaic, NJ and was the younger of two children to Frank and Rose Pollaro.  While growing up in Passaic, Frank attended Passaic High School where he excelled in Baseball and was a member of the Passaic High School Varsity Baseball Team.  His junior and senior years of high school were spent in Clifton High School.

Following Frank’s graduation from Clifton High School with the class of 1965, he enrolled at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York.  There, he earned his Bachelor Degree in Education graduating in 1969.  After receiving his teacher’s certification, Frank found employment quickly, accepting a position in Special Education with the Willow Brook Institute in Staten Island.  He was employed at Willow Brook Institute for approximately ten years then transferred to the Bronx Developmental Center in New York City.  After working in New York City for two years, he accepted a position in his hometown at Passaic High School.  Frank’s career in Special Education at Passaic High School spanned over a period of forty years until his retirement in 2014.  During his employment at Passaic High School, he was truly well loved and respected by his students, his colleagues, and his peers.  Also during his tenure, he was in charge of organizing retirement and holiday parties at the school.  Frank earned widespread acclaim for their exceptional success in orchestrating truly memorable and enjoyable events for his colleagues.

Concurrent to his employment as a Special Education Teacher, and at a time before online classes and degrees, Frank attended night classes at Montclair Teacher’s College, now known as Montclair University earning his Master’s Degree in Education.  

Frank was a dedicated school teacher by profession, but found solace and fulfillment during the summer months through the pursuit of installing windows and doors for a company called Essex Door-Windows. Despite the contrast from his educational role, Frank thrived in this endeavor.  His love for craftsmanship was evident in his excitement and joy during shopping excursions to Home Depot, where he eagerly perused aisles stocked with tools and materials. This seasonal employment not only provided him with supplemental income but also served as a source of personal satisfaction and growth.

In 1972, Frank was a groomsman for his friend Joe Cordella.  While at the wedding, he met an attractive young lady named Carmela Parisi.  The two hit it off great and went out to dinner and a play in New York City.  Frank and Carmela dated for about two years.  Although they both lived in New Jersey, they cherished their tradition of frequenting New York City for most of their dates, exploring its vibrant and diverse offerings.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on April 7, 1974 they exchanged vows and became husband and wife at St Anthony’s Church in Passaic.  The newlyweds settled in East Rutherford for about a year then moved to their hometown of Passaic, NJ.  While residing in Passaic, the couple welcomed the birth of their first child, Frank.  After living in Passaic for about eight years they moved to Clifton where their daughter Maria was born.  In 1984, the family moved to Wayne where their twins Marc and Jacki were born, and the family has been there ever since.  

He enjoyed listening to music such as Bruce Springsteen, Meatloff, and a local band based in Clifton, NJ called the Beach Combers.  He was also a devoted New York Yankees fan.  Those who knew Frank best knew that his greatest passion in life was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Frank than providing for and spending time with his children.  He was a truly dedicated husband, father, and grandfather.  He and his wife Carmela cherished nearly fifty years of loving and loyal marriage together.  Frank and his family will always treasure their summers at their home in Seaside Heights at the Jersey Shore, where Frank was member of the Surf Club and loved spending time on the boardwalk with his children.  Frank also treasured traveling with his family to destinations such as Italy, Puerto Rico, California, Hawaii, Texas, and Aruba.  Being that his children were extremely gifted athletes, he was able to travel extensively throughout the Eastern United States with their sports teams.  

Frank was not only devoted to his family but also to his Catholic Faith, he and his family were parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for many years.  

Frank was always the jokester and often the life of the party.  He was able to captivate an audience of any age with his ability to tell a story or a joke.  He could light up any room he walked into with his wonderful sense of humor and infectious personality.  Frank was famous by family and friends for hosting his fun-filled New Year’s Eve parties where he always had a variety of his favorite drinks including Tequila, Patron, and Southern Comfort.

Frank will be forever remembered as a truly devoted father and husband who often denied himself material belongings so that his family could have they things they wanted.  He was truly a special person who touched the lives of everyone around him.  He will be sincerely missed by his family and friends.

Frank is survived by his wife Carmela (nee Parisi) of Wayne, NJ, his son Frank Pollaro and his wife Jaime of Alamo, CA, his daughter Maria Pepe and her husband Frank of Kinnelon, NJ, his son Marc Pollaro and his wife Megan of Carlstadt, NJ, and his daughter Jacki Salvatore and her husband Dominic of Wayne, NJ, one sister Mary Del Grosso of Newburn, NC, and seven grandchildren: Jake, Gianna, Carly, Nathan, Austin, Celeste, and Reagan.