Thelma Frasca

Thelma Frasca (nee Wagnecz), age 93, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 22, 2025.

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Thelma was the second-born of Alexander and Anna (Simchock) Wagnecz’s two children. Born in Passaic, NJ, she was raised in Garfield, NJ, where she was a graduate of Garfield High School, Class of 1949.

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After high school, Thelma worked as a secretary. She met and fell in love with Julio “Jul” Michael Frasca, who was enlisted in the United States Navy during their courtship. They shared their wedding vows before God, family, and friends at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Magyar Church in Passaic on Sunday, December 21, 1952.

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Following their wedding, Thelma and Jul lived in Takoma Park, MD, where Jul was stationed with the U.S. Navy. Upon his return to civilian life, they moved back to New Jersey, briefly settling in East Paterson and later in Garfield. Sadly, while living in Garfield, Jul passed away unexpectedly in 1982 at the young age of 51.    In 1996, Thelma moved to Wayne, where she shared a home with her daughter Anne and son-in-law Marc.

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Thelma was, first and foremost, a devoted mother to her two sons and one daughter, Michael, James, and Anne. A homemaker, she provided love, guidance, and a warm, welcoming home where her husband and children always looked forward to returning after a long day at work or school. She was also a precious “Bomba” to her eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren whose nickname was lovingly embraced when one of her grandchildren called her that when trying to say “Grandma,”   Bomba was so devoted to her grandchildren that she earned the affectionate title of “America’s Grandma”.  She was a good sport in every sense, even when her grandchildren crumpled up Christmas wrapping paper and used Bomba for target practice. One of Thelma’s summertime highlights was spending time with her family at their lake house in Georgia.

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In addition to her roles as wife, mother, and homemaker, Thelma worked as a secretary for various companies, most recently with Aircraft Engineering in Clifton.

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Thelma preferred to live a simple, quiet life in the loving company of her family. That said, she did enjoy playing bingo and taking bus trips to Mount Airy Lodge Casino, where testing her luck at the Triple 7 slot machine was her game of choice. When relaxing at home, Thelma liked to keep her mind sharp by watching game shows, including Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, among others. She also enjoyed The Golden Girls, Big Brother, Survivor, and anything on the Hallmark Channel. Oftentimes, television time was shared with her rescue dog Frankie by her side.

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The memory of Thelma will be truly cherished by her family and friends alike. Quiet yet caring and loving, she was a generous soul who touched others with her easygoing and loving heart.

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Thelma was the beloved wife of Julio “Jul” Frasca, blessed in marriage for 29 years until his passing in 1982. She was the loving mother of Dr. Michael Frasca and his wife Jessica of Peoria, IL, whose children are Amy (Aaron), Alexander, and Christopher; James Frasca and his wife Angela of Apex, North Carolina, whose children are Giulio and Teresa; and Anne Sotsky and her husband Marc of Wayne, NJ, whose children are Bethany (Matthew) and their children Caden and Liam; Eric (Megan) and their children Avery, Eliana, Ethan, and Luke; and Kelly (Boriana). She was the dear younger sister of Alexander Wagnecz and his late wife Sylvia of Succasunna, NJ, and is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

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Those planning an expression of sympathy in Thelma’s memory are asked to consider:

Christian Health

Foundation Department

Attn: Sue Kelly

301 Sicomac Ave.

Wyckoff, NJ 07481

 Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Thelma Frasca.