Frank J. Felice, age 72 years, of Bridgewater Township, NJ, died peacefully on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on January 21, 1951, in Hackensack, NJ, son of the late Bernardino and Regina Masone Felice, he was raised on Richmond Avenue in Paterson, NJ, and had lived in Hewitt, NJ, and for more than forty years in Haledon, NJ, prior to moving to Bridgewater, NJ, in 2021, to be closer to his cherished grandchildren.

Growing up in Paterson where the neighborhood was your family, his early years shaped the hard-working, comedic, compassionate, and loving family-man that Frank would become. Graduating from Jersey Prep, he worked hard, starting at eight years old, for his family’s lumber business, Linwood Lumber & Supply, in Paterson.

The many years in the family business sparked an entrepreneurial spirit that drove Frank to work hard, but more importantly to always look out for the best interests of his customers as well as his staff. A happy and respected staff he knew, would ensure that those patronizing his business would receive the best care anywhere!

Meeting a young Ms. Laura Lepanto when the two were introduced by mutual friends, Frank was the first “boy” her dad approved of and actually liked, and their love was grounded in a mutual respect. They joined hands in holy matrimony on December 3, 1978, at St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church in Paterson, and their union would bring them Frank’s pride and joy, his son, Michael.

Laura and Frank would follow their dreams, and together they opened and operated The Triple Crown restaurant in Little Falls, NJ, where many family and friends were employed over the years. The Triple Crown was a place that brought much light and love, in addition to great food and beverages, into people’s lives and where many happy memories were made.

After several years, they eventually sold the restaurant and Frank became Director of Dining Services at William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, where he was much loved by the students, faculty, and staff. In fact, he was on campus so often that he became the advisor to the Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity, and inspired many young men to follow their dreams and ensured they got the best education available.

After retirement, Frank and Laura happily got promoted to grandparents with Mike having married Marisa, who became their daughter, and the couple having two children, Emily and Benjamin. Moving closer to their grandchildren brought Frank a happiness he never knew existed and he spent whatever time he could with the two kids.

With many hobbies to his pedigree, Frank loved to cook and was known for using every pot and pan in the kitchen. He always had a large garden and used fresh vegetables and herbs to make wonderful meals for family and friends; if it was not homemade, Frank would not serve it. He was especially known for making exquisite homemade pastas the way his mother taught him that left everyone at the table wanting more.

A talented carpenter growing up watching his uncles, if Frank had a hammer and chisel, he could create anything. He loved nature, and long walks in the woods picking mushrooms for mealtimes were the source of happy memories for he and his son.

Time at the beach on Long Beach Island was a yearly event, as was rooting for his New York Jets each football season. Traveling and fishing on the St. Lawrence River was also something Frank enjoyed, as well as spending time with his Labrador Retrievers through the years.

An artist through and through, Frank attended and graduated from the Pan America Art School in NYC, NY, after high school. Whether it was painting, sketching, sculpting, etc., Frank was extremely creative and had a true eye for beauty. His passion for education continued into his adult years and he proudly served on the Passaic County/Manchester Regional High School Board of Education for many, many years. During this time, he was a champion for bringing technology into the district and for giving many children a head start on what would become the growing field of computer science.

Though his passing came suddenly, Frank would want all reading this to take solace in the words of John 14: 1-6 which say: Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Frank knew that when he closed his eyes on earth, they would open into that place promised where there is no pain or suffering, but only light, peace, and hope. Frank, you are missed, but loved eternally and until we meet again, keep a pot of water on the stove boiling for the pasta…

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his niece, Christa Felice, and nephew, Peter Rossi.

Surviving are his wife, Laura Lepanto Felice; his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Marisa Felice; his grandchildren, Emily and Benjamin Felice; his aunt, Charmaine Felice; his brother and sister-in-law, Philip and Ginny Felice; his sisters-in-law, Lynne Rossi and Joyce DeMaio; his nephew and Godson, Bill Rossi and his wife, Sharon; his niece, Tracy Gregoire and her husband, Joseph; his niece and Goddaughter, Stephanie Felice; his niece, Dana Felice; a Goddaughter, Tara Lotito; his dear friends since childhood, Carol Aquino Stryker and Harry Stryker; his feline companions, Lucy and Luigi; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

Frank will lie in repose on Sunday, March 26, 2023, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Michael D. Lombardo will take place on Monday, March 27, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Consolation R.C. Church, 1799 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, NJ 07470, and to which all are welcome. Everyone is kindly requested to meet directly at the church at 10:15 a.m. on Monday. For those unable to attend Mass, please click HERE to watch the livestream (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C90SHXREh4).

Burial will follow at Laurel Grove Cemetery, 295 Totowa Road, Totowa, NJ 07512, and to which all are welcome.

You are encouraged to visit Frank’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in Frank’s honor and memory may be made to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, 575 Woodland Ave, Madison, NJ 07940, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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