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July 15, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 5-8pm on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ.
A funeral service of family sharing will be held at 7pm on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the funeral home during the visiting hours.
Frank Joseph Tobias, 68, of Wayne, New Jersey, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Born in Irvington, NJ, to Frank and Cecilia Tobias, Frank was raised in Newark before spending his formative years in Wayne. From an early age he developed the strong work ethic, loyalty to family, and outgoing personality that would define his life. Frank attended Wayne Hills High School, where he graduated with the Class of 1976.
Following high school, Frank attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), earning a bachelor's degree in Finance and Business. During his college years, he met Carolyn Meacham, and together they welcomed their son, Frank.
Always adventurous and willing to embrace new opportunities, Frank set out on a cross-country journey after college, spending a short time living in Oklahoma before arriving in California and after three years returned to the East Coast. He accepted a position on Wall Street, working at the World Trade Center, followed by several banking positions in New Jersey before settling into a role at the delivery service known as Devonshire. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Frank eventually founded Buddy Express, a payroll delivery company that he proudly owned and operated for more than fifteen years. Through hard work, dedication, and exceptional customer service, he built and grew a successful business until his retirement in 2019.
In addition to Buddy Express, his outgoing personality led him to a rewarding part-time career as a sales representative with Melaleuca, a wellness company specializing in mail-order products. He excelled in the position because he could strike up a conversation with anyone and had a remarkable ability to make lasting friendships wherever he went.
In 1987, Frank met Susan Floeck and they were blessed with a daughter, Sara. They spent many wonderful years together living in Morganville, NJ.
In 2005, Frank met Julie Ruperto at a lucheonette in Milltown, and after many meals, came to live together.
After retiring, Frank returned to Wayne to lovingly care for his aging parents and he remained there with them for the rest of his life.
Frank found great joy in life's simple pleasures. He loved traveling to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, spending time along the Jersey Shore, and making memories with those he loved. He especially took great pride in travelling to Italy for his 60th birthday to visit the home of his great-grandfather.
A true "gearhead," he had a lifelong passion for automobiles and took great pride in restoring classic cars, including a 1970 Chevrolet Impala, a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle, and the family 2003 Toyota Corolla “Peyton”. Family, friends, and neighbors knew they could always count on Frank's generosity to lend a helping hand with car repairs.
An enthusiastic gardener, Frank took tremendous pride in his vegetable gardens, especially the tomatoes he grew year after year. He was equally at home in the kitchen, where he delighted family and friends with traditional Italian meals while continually pursuing his own version of the perfect "gravy." He enjoyed relaxing with classic films such as Casablanca, Citizen Kane, and the timeless westerns of John Wayne. He also never outgrew his appreciation for the humor of The Three Stooges. Frank loved reading about history and watching documentaries, always eager to share his encyclopedic knowledge with others. He was also a true New York Mets fan for many years.
Those who knew Frank will remember him as larger than life. Gregarious and charismatic, his quick wit, engaging personality, generosity, and willingness to help made a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Above all else, Frank was a devoted son, a loving father, and a proud grandfather whose family was the center of his world. His Catholic faith was an important part of his life, and he faithfully professed his belief in the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church. He also held strong convictions, including a staunch commitment to his republican political beliefs, which he never hesitated to discuss with passion and conviction.
Frank was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people. He will be missed by everyone that knew him.
Frank is survived by his son Frank and wife Verena of Barcelona, Spain, his daughter Sara, husband Bill and grandchild, William, of Monroe, NJ, and sister Priscilla of California. Also his long-time companion, Julie Ruperto and the “Boompa” grandchildren Marissa, Megan, Jack, Rhone, Charlotte, and Peneloppe. He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Cecilia, adoptive father Alphonse Paolello, and by his German Spitz dog, Porcupine aka "Porky."
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family from 5-8pm on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ.
A funeral service of family sharing will be held at 7pm on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the funeral home during the visiting hours.
July 15, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 5-8pm on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ.
A funeral service of family sharing will be held at 7pm on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the funeral home during the visiting hours.
Frank Joseph Tobias, 68, of Wayne, New Jersey, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Born in Irvington, NJ, to Frank and Cecilia Tobias, Frank was raised in Newark before spending his formative years in Wayne. From an early age he developed the strong work ethic, loyalty to family, and outgoing personality that would define his life. Frank attended Wayne Hills High School, where he graduated with the Class of 1976.
Following high school, Frank attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), earning a bachelor's degree in Finance and Business. During his college years, he met Carolyn Meacham, and together they welcomed their son, Frank.
Always adventurous and willing to embrace new opportunities, Frank set out on a cross-country journey after college, spending a short time living in Oklahoma before arriving in California and after three years returned to the East Coast. He accepted a position on Wall Street, working at the World Trade Center, followed by several banking positions in New Jersey before settling into a role at the delivery service known as Devonshire. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Frank eventually founded Buddy Express, a payroll delivery company that he proudly owned and operated for more than fifteen years. Through hard work, dedication, and exceptional customer service, he built and grew a successful business until his retirement in 2019.
In addition to Buddy Express, his outgoing personality led him to a rewarding part-time career as a sales representative with Melaleuca, a wellness company specializing in mail-order products. He excelled in the position because he could strike up a conversation with anyone and had a remarkable ability to make lasting friendships wherever he went.
In 1987, Frank met Susan Floeck and they were blessed with a daughter, Sara. They spent many wonderful years together living in Morganville, NJ.
In 2005, Frank met Julie Ruperto at a lucheonette in Milltown, and after many meals, came to live together.
After retiring, Frank returned to Wayne to lovingly care for his aging parents and he remained there with them for the rest of his life.
Frank found great joy in life's simple pleasures. He loved traveling to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, spending time along the Jersey Shore, and making memories with those he loved. He especially took great pride in travelling to Italy for his 60th birthday to visit the home of his great-grandfather.
A true "gearhead," he had a lifelong passion for automobiles and took great pride in restoring classic cars, including a 1970 Chevrolet Impala, a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle, and the family 2003 Toyota Corolla “Peyton”. Family, friends, and neighbors knew they could always count on Frank's generosity to lend a helping hand with car repairs.
An enthusiastic gardener, Frank took tremendous pride in his vegetable gardens, especially the tomatoes he grew year after year. He was equally at home in the kitchen, where he delighted family and friends with traditional Italian meals while continually pursuing his own version of the perfect "gravy." He enjoyed relaxing with classic films such as Casablanca, Citizen Kane, and the timeless westerns of John Wayne. He also never outgrew his appreciation for the humor of The Three Stooges. Frank loved reading about history and watching documentaries, always eager to share his encyclopedic knowledge with others. He was also a true New York Mets fan for many years.
Those who knew Frank will remember him as larger than life. Gregarious and charismatic, his quick wit, engaging personality, generosity, and willingness to help made a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
Above all else, Frank was a devoted son, a loving father, and a proud grandfather whose family was the center of his world. His Catholic faith was an important part of his life, and he faithfully professed his belief in the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church. He also held strong convictions, including a staunch commitment to his republican political beliefs, which he never hesitated to discuss with passion and conviction.
Frank was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people. He will be missed by everyone that knew him.
Frank is survived by his son Frank and wife Verena of Barcelona, Spain, his daughter Sara, husband Bill and grandchild, William, of Monroe, NJ, and sister Priscilla of California. Also his long-time companion, Julie Ruperto and the “Boompa” grandchildren Marissa, Megan, Jack, Rhone, Charlotte, and Peneloppe. He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Cecilia, adoptive father Alphonse Paolello, and by his German Spitz dog, Porcupine aka "Porky."
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