Obituary of Frank T McKenna, Jr.

McKenna, Frank T., Jr., age 86 of Waldwick died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at his home. Frank was predeceased by his cherished wife of 45 years, Mary G. (nee Fluhr) on September 3, 1995. He was born in City Island, NY and has resided in Waldwick for over 61 years where he raised his family. Frank loved the Waldwick community and gave back to the community by serving in many public offices over the years. He served on the Waldwick Board of Education for eight years from 1966 thru 1973 and was President from 1971-1973. He then went on to serve on the Waldwick Planning Board for five years from 1984 thru 1987 and then again in 2009 and the Waldwick Zoning Board for six years, from 1990 thru 1995. Frank was elected as a Councilman in 1976 and serving for 13 years, from 1976-1982 and from 1999-2004. Frank was elected Mayor of Waldwick in 1984 and served for four years, from 1984 thru 1987. He was also appointed to the Bergen County Open Space Advisory Board for five years, from 2003 thru 2007 and he served Vice Chairman for 2006 and 2007. Throughout his political career, Frank found time to volunteer in the community with the Waldwick Jaycees and serving as a Little League Coach and for 17 years, delivered meals for Bergen County Meals on Wheels. Frank was also a member of the Lion’s Club of Waldwick and the Knights of Columbus. Frank not only served his community but his country as well, serving in the United States Marine Corp from 1946-1949 and again in 1950-1951, attaining the rank of Sergeant. Throughout his lifetime journey, in his spare time, Frank loved learning about all things Irish. To carry on their Irish heritage, Frank leaves behind his four children, Kathleen Walton and her husband Les of Silverthorn, CO, Frank T. McKenna III of Mahwah, NJ, Marianne Bausinger and her husband Mark of West Chester, PA, and Jeanne Macko and her husband Christopher of Ramsey, NJ. Frank is also survived by eight adoring grandchildren, three great grandchildren, his sister, Rita Lynch of City Island, NY and his two brothers, Robert McKenna of Tappan, NY and Thomas McKenna of Pine Hurst, NC. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 7, 2016 from 2:00-4:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 10:00 am at St. Luke’s RC Church, 340 Franklin Tpke, Ho Ho Kus, NJ with the interment following at Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes. For those wishing as an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the Waldwick Public Library, 19 East Prospect Street, Waldwick, NJ 07463 or the Waldwick Ambulance Corp., P.O. Box 244, Waldwick, NJ 07463.