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June 13, 2026
Services
Friends may visit the family on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
A Funeral Service will be offered immediately following the visitation, beginning at 6:00 PM at the funeral home. Entombment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Rose’s memory are asked to consider:
Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc.
2 Shelter Lane
Oakland, NJ 07436
Please be sure to dedicate your gift in memory of Rose Mary Emolo.
Rose Mary Emolo (née Franek), 100 years young, passed peacefully at home on Saturday morning, June 13, 2026, with her loving family by her side.
The third of Paul and Eva (Holienka) Franek’s five children, Rose was born and raised in Franklin, New Jersey, on her Czechoslovakian immigrant parents’ one hundred sixty acre dairy farm. The farm was a true family effort that instilled in Rose and her siblings wholesome values, a strong work ethic, and life-long skills that would guide them throughout their lives.
As a little girl, Rose’s days began with chores on the farm, followed by a relatively long walk to school. The virtues of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance were modeled daily by her parents. Her mother raised five children with loving care while working alongside the family on the farm. Her father worked the farm by day and cut timber at night to build the framework for local zinc mines.
Growing up on a farm also gave Rose a deep appreciation for all of God’s creatures, both great and small. While children today might play with toys, for Rose, the animals on the farm were, in many ways, her playmates and companions.
As a young lady, Rose took a job as an aide at a nearby Newton nursing home. There, caring for the residents, her kind and compassionate nature had an opportunity to shine. Meanwhile, her high school studies focused on secretarial skills. Following her graduation from Franklin High School, Rose moved to Paterson and began working full-time for Curtiss-Wright Aeronautics.
It was at Curtiss-Wright that Rose met the man she would eventually marry. His name was John R. Emolo and, as a certified public accountant, he came to Curtiss-Wright as an outside auditor. John took a liking to Rose right away. He asked her out on a date, and even though she was a little hesitant at first, she accepted his invitation which turned out to be one of the best decisions of her life. The two sweethearts were married on Sunday, August 24, 1947, at Immaculate Conception Church in Rose’s hometown of Franklin. Following a honeymoon at Pine Cliff Lodge in the Poconos, Pennsylvania, Rose and John moved into an apartment in John’s parents’ home on Madison Avenue in Paterson. In 1952, they purchased a house in the Riverside Section of the city of Paterson, where they raised their family and where Rose would reside for more than seventy-five years, right up to the time of her passing.
Rose’s greatest passion was her family. She and John were blessed with one daughter and three sons. When the children were young, Rose devoted herself wholeheartedly to their care. She was there when they left for school in the morning, when they came home for lunch, and when they returned home in the afternoon.
They say the best way to win someone’s heart is through their stomach, and as a gifted cook and baker, Rose won hearts everywhere she went. True to her roots, she prepared delicious Czechoslovakian recipes and, thanks to her Italian father-in-law, mastered the art of Italian cooking as well. Rose also turned her love of sewing into something special for her children. With her sewing ability and combined creativity, she would make them Halloween costumes, which they loved. On a couple of Halloween occasions, Rose even put together a costume for herself.
Rose and John were devoted parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Church in Paterson. The family attended Mass faithfully every Sunday, and Rose served as a member of the Blessed Sacrament School Mother’s Guild, assisting with school activities and fundraisers. Easter Sunday always provided an opportunity to dress everyone in their Easter outfits and take a walk through nearby Eastside Park. After church, the family traditionally gathered at home for one of Rose’s lovingly prepared Sunday dinners. Afterwards, everyone loaded into the family car for a Sunday drive, often heading to Rose’s parents farm in Franklin. During the summer, Rose and her children spent countless days at the farm where they enjoyed farm life.
Thanksgiving was probably Rose’s favorite holiday. She and her sisters-in-law prepared a Thanksgiving feast for many family members and friends. This cherished family tradition continued for more than forty years. In 1982, Rose and John purchased an oceanfront home on Long Beach Island. It became yet a treasured gathering place where children, grandchildren, and extended family created precious memories together.
In her spare time, Rose loved tending her garden, which featured beautiful rose bushes and fruit-bearing trees. Her peach trees yielded juicy fruit that found their way into her homemade peach cobbler. She took considerable pride in her home and property, and she treasured living in a neighborhood where neighbors shared mutual love, kindness, and respect. Rose became a neighborhood favorite and, in recent years, her neighbors lovingly looked after her. She enjoyed sitting on her front porch visiting with them, and they frequently stopped by to chat or surprise her with flowers or a dessert.
Rose had a particular affection for cats and remained a protector of feral felines throughout her life. She built a backyard cat condominium that provided shelter, security, and food for any cat willing to accept her hospitality. One of those cats, Honey Bear, eventually domesticated and came to live inside the house with her. While cats were a personal favorite, Rose’s love for animals knew no bounds. At one point, she even gave shelter to a family of possums.
Rose was a loving, sweet, kind, and gentle soul who was always mindful of others and their feelings. She generously shared her time, talents, and treasures, often placing the needs of others before her own. That gentle spirit became an extraordinary blessing when John suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. For six years, Rose lovingly cared for him day and night until his passing in 2009. Now, she is reunited with her beloved husband.
Rose was the wife of John R. Emolo, blessed in marriage for 62 years until his passing. She was the most loving mother of John C. Emolo of Little Falls, Joan Emolo-Garris of Pompton Plains, James N. Emolo of Clifton, and the late Ronald P. Emolo (2018); cherished grandmother of Kimberlee Garris and her husband Benjamin Smith, Evan Emolo and his wife Quynh Tran, Claeys Emolo, and the late Taylor Emolo (2025); adoring great-grandmother of Eliza Garris Smith and Connor Garris Smith; and dearest sister of two brothers and two sisters—all predeceased: Paul Franek, Margaret Silconas, Ann Wilson, and Joseph Franek. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit the family on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
A Funeral Service will be offered immediately following the visitation, beginning at 6:00 PM at the funeral home. Entombment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Rose’s memory are asked to consider:
Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc.
2 Shelter Lane
Oakland, NJ 07436
Please be sure to dedicate your gift in memory of Rose Mary Emolo.
June 13, 2026
Services
Friends may visit the family on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
A Funeral Service will be offered immediately following the visitation, beginning at 6:00 PM at the funeral home. Entombment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Rose’s memory are asked to consider:
Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc.
2 Shelter Lane
Oakland, NJ 07436
Please be sure to dedicate your gift in memory of Rose Mary Emolo.
Rose Mary Emolo (née Franek), 100 years young, passed peacefully at home on Saturday morning, June 13, 2026, with her loving family by her side.
The third of Paul and Eva (Holienka) Franek’s five children, Rose was born and raised in Franklin, New Jersey, on her Czechoslovakian immigrant parents’ one hundred sixty acre dairy farm. The farm was a true family effort that instilled in Rose and her siblings wholesome values, a strong work ethic, and life-long skills that would guide them throughout their lives.
As a little girl, Rose’s days began with chores on the farm, followed by a relatively long walk to school. The virtues of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance were modeled daily by her parents. Her mother raised five children with loving care while working alongside the family on the farm. Her father worked the farm by day and cut timber at night to build the framework for local zinc mines.
Growing up on a farm also gave Rose a deep appreciation for all of God’s creatures, both great and small. While children today might play with toys, for Rose, the animals on the farm were, in many ways, her playmates and companions.
As a young lady, Rose took a job as an aide at a nearby Newton nursing home. There, caring for the residents, her kind and compassionate nature had an opportunity to shine. Meanwhile, her high school studies focused on secretarial skills. Following her graduation from Franklin High School, Rose moved to Paterson and began working full-time for Curtiss-Wright Aeronautics.
It was at Curtiss-Wright that Rose met the man she would eventually marry. His name was John R. Emolo and, as a certified public accountant, he came to Curtiss-Wright as an outside auditor. John took a liking to Rose right away. He asked her out on a date, and even though she was a little hesitant at first, she accepted his invitation which turned out to be one of the best decisions of her life. The two sweethearts were married on Sunday, August 24, 1947, at Immaculate Conception Church in Rose’s hometown of Franklin. Following a honeymoon at Pine Cliff Lodge in the Poconos, Pennsylvania, Rose and John moved into an apartment in John’s parents’ home on Madison Avenue in Paterson. In 1952, they purchased a house in the Riverside Section of the city of Paterson, where they raised their family and where Rose would reside for more than seventy-five years, right up to the time of her passing.
Rose’s greatest passion was her family. She and John were blessed with one daughter and three sons. When the children were young, Rose devoted herself wholeheartedly to their care. She was there when they left for school in the morning, when they came home for lunch, and when they returned home in the afternoon.
They say the best way to win someone’s heart is through their stomach, and as a gifted cook and baker, Rose won hearts everywhere she went. True to her roots, she prepared delicious Czechoslovakian recipes and, thanks to her Italian father-in-law, mastered the art of Italian cooking as well. Rose also turned her love of sewing into something special for her children. With her sewing ability and combined creativity, she would make them Halloween costumes, which they loved. On a couple of Halloween occasions, Rose even put together a costume for herself.
Rose and John were devoted parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Church in Paterson. The family attended Mass faithfully every Sunday, and Rose served as a member of the Blessed Sacrament School Mother’s Guild, assisting with school activities and fundraisers. Easter Sunday always provided an opportunity to dress everyone in their Easter outfits and take a walk through nearby Eastside Park. After church, the family traditionally gathered at home for one of Rose’s lovingly prepared Sunday dinners. Afterwards, everyone loaded into the family car for a Sunday drive, often heading to Rose’s parents farm in Franklin. During the summer, Rose and her children spent countless days at the farm where they enjoyed farm life.
Thanksgiving was probably Rose’s favorite holiday. She and her sisters-in-law prepared a Thanksgiving feast for many family members and friends. This cherished family tradition continued for more than forty years. In 1982, Rose and John purchased an oceanfront home on Long Beach Island. It became yet a treasured gathering place where children, grandchildren, and extended family created precious memories together.
In her spare time, Rose loved tending her garden, which featured beautiful rose bushes and fruit-bearing trees. Her peach trees yielded juicy fruit that found their way into her homemade peach cobbler. She took considerable pride in her home and property, and she treasured living in a neighborhood where neighbors shared mutual love, kindness, and respect. Rose became a neighborhood favorite and, in recent years, her neighbors lovingly looked after her. She enjoyed sitting on her front porch visiting with them, and they frequently stopped by to chat or surprise her with flowers or a dessert.
Rose had a particular affection for cats and remained a protector of feral felines throughout her life. She built a backyard cat condominium that provided shelter, security, and food for any cat willing to accept her hospitality. One of those cats, Honey Bear, eventually domesticated and came to live inside the house with her. While cats were a personal favorite, Rose’s love for animals knew no bounds. At one point, she even gave shelter to a family of possums.
Rose was a loving, sweet, kind, and gentle soul who was always mindful of others and their feelings. She generously shared her time, talents, and treasures, often placing the needs of others before her own. That gentle spirit became an extraordinary blessing when John suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. For six years, Rose lovingly cared for him day and night until his passing in 2009. Now, she is reunited with her beloved husband.
Rose was the wife of John R. Emolo, blessed in marriage for 62 years until his passing. She was the most loving mother of John C. Emolo of Little Falls, Joan Emolo-Garris of Pompton Plains, James N. Emolo of Clifton, and the late Ronald P. Emolo (2018); cherished grandmother of Kimberlee Garris and her husband Benjamin Smith, Evan Emolo and his wife Quynh Tran, Claeys Emolo, and the late Taylor Emolo (2025); adoring great-grandmother of Eliza Garris Smith and Connor Garris Smith; and dearest sister of two brothers and two sisters—all predeceased: Paul Franek, Margaret Silconas, Ann Wilson, and Joseph Franek. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
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