Obituary of Frank Anthony Groppo

Frank Anthony Groppo

Frank A. Groppo, "Titi", 88, of Efland, NC and formerly of Kinnelon, NJ peacefully transitioned from this life on July 10, 2018 surrounded, in love, by his family. Frank was born to Italian immigrant parents, Antonio and Marie Elena Groppo in 1929 and graduated from St. Cecelia High School in Englewood, NJ, where he was proud to be mentored by Vince Lombardi.

Frank served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1953. It was then he married the great love of his life, Elizabeth Doyle on May 9, 1953. Frank worked for Singer Sewing Machines from 1953-1955. He then owned and operated a luncheonette in West New York, NJ from 1955 - 1963. Upon realizing the he gave his profits away, with all the free meals to people in need, Frank chose another profession to provide for his family. He had a gift for working with people, which he parlayed into a very successful career as an insurance salesman for the Knights of Columbus. He was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus and past Grand Knight of Council #943 in Butler, NJ. Frank was very involved with the Catholic community at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church in Kinnelon, NJ where he frequently volunteered his time. He was a devoted usher for many years as well as a volunteer gym teacher for the OLM grammar school. Frank thoroughly enjoyed coaching his children in the Kinnelon P. A. L.  Frank was a charter member of The DePaul Hall of Fame for his many contributions to the DePaul athletic community, which extended long after all of his children graduated. In 2010 his daughter, Laura, joined him in the Hall of Fame, which brought him great pride.

Throughout his 45 years in Kinnelon, Frank left his mark. He cared about people and did his best to help all those in need. Whether it was his smile, lending a helping hand, his singing Frank Sinatra songs, his wonderful sense of humor and self-deprecation, he left his mark on all of us and touched all of our hearts. He was a special man.

Frank and Elizabeth relocated to Efland, NC in 2002 to the home of their daughter, Marie Elena and her husband Carlo, as their family was growing with the birth of more grandchildren. After moving to North Carolina, Frank continued his service to the church as an usher at Holy Family Catholic Church in Hillsborough, NC.

His greatest joy in life was the wonderful times he spent with his "gang", which were his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, especially on their yearly family vacations to the Outer Banks, NC.  Frank was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife, Elizabeth, to whom he was married for over 50 years and his beloved firstborn son Frank (Francis) of Tombstone, AZ. He is survived by his children, Michael Groppo (Meg) of Houston, TX and Yonkers, NY, daughters, Linda Kennedy (Tim) of Jackson, NJ, Laura Groppo - Milstead (Dawn) of Boston, MA and Anna Maria Island, FL, and Marie Elena Garay (Carlo) of Efland, NC. He is also survived by his seven adoring grandchildren: Kelly (Andy), Kalynn (Sean), Stephen, Billy, Isabella, Natalia, Carlo, Jr., and two great grandchildren, Gabriel and Rosemary.

The Groppo family will receive family and friends on Friday, July 13, 2018 from 5- 9 PM at The Monsignor Ryan Memorial Room at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church, Kinnelon, NJ.  A mass, followed by internment, will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 1:00 PM at Our Lady of the Magnificat Church, Kinnelon, NJ.

If making a donation in Frank's honor, please choose an organization that serves people in need, as Frank did throughout his life.