Obituary of Frank Joseph Mozes

Boonton — Frank Joseph Mozes (Frankie Mo), 87, went peacefully to be with our Lord Jesus Christ, on Thursday, April 2, 2020, at Morristown Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. Frank was a resident of the New Jersey Fireman’s Home in Boonton where he lived out the last few years of his life with his fellow retired firefighters. Born in Manhattan, in 1932 and raised in Queens, Frankie was the youngest of seven siblings born to Hungarian immigrants. His parents, big brother Joseph and sisters Anna, Elizabeth, Margaret and Julia were waiting to welcome him through the gates of St. Peter. Leaving behind, his only surviving sibling, Josephine Mae. When Frankie was just seven years old, WWII broke out and lasted until he was 13. Times were hard for Frankie and his mother, who was a strict disciplinarian. But as tough as she was, Frankie was rebellious. He was a curious boy who attend Catholic schools, were he tormented the nuns with his crazy antics and pranks. He often tagged along with his mother Anna as she cleaned the homes of NYC aristocrats. He was always getting into some sort of trouble and would often ride the railroads with the homeless. Having witnessed the World at War for most of his young life, he was eager to serve his country. At the tender age of 18, Frankie joined the US Marines and proudly served his county in the Korean War. The experience changed him, and he would never speak of it to anyone as long as he lived. After the war Frank returned to Queens, NY, where he met and fell in love with Marian. Being a handsome Marine, with lots of character, he quickly swept her off her feet. They married and moved to Rockaway, NJ where they bought a house in Birchwood Village and raised three good sons, Michael, Scott and Todd. Frank’s work as a Truck Driver for Helms Express in Moonachie and his work as a volunteer Firefighter for Birchwood Fire Company #4, often took him away from his family. He tried to compensate for lost time by taking his family camping, fishing, and on trips to the Jersey shore in Cape May. He also volunteered for the Boy Scouts, where he often accompanied his sons on Scouting events. As Frank watched his boys become men, perhaps the proudest moment was the day he became “Pop-Pop.” He wore his Pop-Pop hat and T-shirt everywhere and bragged to everyone about his new grandchild, Nicole, and later, Tracy, Tony and Sarah. He was even prouder to become Great Pop-Pop to Taylor, Gianna, Dominic and Jaxon. As Frank started counting his blessing, he finally had to admit that the nuns from his childhood were right, it’s all about God and family. After he retired, Frankie moved to Hackettstown, where he joined the Allamuchy Fire Department as a volunteer. He also became a local fixture and legend at the QuickChek in Hackettstown, where you could hear his friends shouting out “Frankie Mo” as they greeted him for a cup of coffee, lottery tickets and a good chat. Frankie had a big laugh and an even bigger heart, he often bragged of his family. His smile and laughter could light up a room. When he wasn’t at the QuickChek he could be found at the local pub having a shot and beer with his sons. Frank is survived by his sister Josephine; son Michael and his wife Diane; son Scott and his wife Nancy, and his youngest son, Todd; his grandchildren, Nicole and her husband JR Vankampen, Sarah and her husband Aristotle Mozes, Tracy and Tony Bluteau; his great-grandchildren, Taylor Burgess and Gianna, Dominic and Jaxon Vankampen; his former wife of 23 years, Marian Mozes; his beloved nieces and nephews, Regina, Larry, Nancy, Jean, Ted, Gabby, Laura, Marie and so many others. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Frank’s memory to the New Jersey Fireman’s Home 565 Lathrop Ave, Boonton, NJ 07005 or to your local Fire Department. Government restrictions, private cremation services have been entrusted to Tuttle Funeral Home 272 NJ-10, Randolph, NJ 07869. A celebration of Frank’s life will be held at a later date.