Frank E. Placek, 98, of Freehold Township passed away peacefully on Monday, April 17, 2017 at Meridian at Shrewsbury. Frank was born in Star Junction, PA and was raised in New York City. He had lived in Paramus before moving to Freehold Township. Frank was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran serving in World War II in the Pacific Theatre and during the Korean War. He retired from Bell Laboratories, Holmdel as an engineer in the Satellite Systems Engineering Department, with over forty years of service. Frank began his career with Bell Labs in Whippany. He was a parishioner of the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church. A member of the greatest generation, Frank was a Ham Radio Operator, call sign “W2LHD”, a woodworker, and a baseball fan, who shook the hand of Babe Ruth. He had a green thumb, which was evident by his vegetable garden, and he loved fishing. A kind soul that could hold an interesting conversation with anyone no matter their age, Frank could build or repair just about anything.
Frank was predeceased by his wife, Mildred; two brothers; and a sister. He is survived by his children, Carol Loeffler and her husband, Franklin, Jr. of Shrewsbury, Patricia Fitzpatrick and her husband, Joseph of Shrewsbury, and Francis Peter Placek and his wife, Jodie of Freehold Township; five grandchildren, Franklin Philip Loeffler III, Ryan Fitzpatrick and his wife, Emmanuelle, Erin Fitzpatrick, Charles Peter Placek, and Julia Rose Placek; a great grandson, Etienne Fitzpatrick; a sister, Anne McDonald of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Friday, April 21, 2017 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at 9:00 AM on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at the funeral home for the procession to the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township for his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass. Interment will follow in St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.