Frank Richard Puskas

Frank Richard Puskas passed away on Tuesday, September 3rd in Highland Park, NJ at the age of 73. He was born to Frank and Margaret Puskas on June 1st 1951, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Frank is predeceased by his beloved wife of 41 years, Elizabeth "Beth" Puskas, his parents; Frank and Margaret Puskas, his father-in-law; James W. Thomson and his nephew; Tom Ratliff.
Frank graduated from Highland Park High School in 1969 where he was the Vice-President of the Electric Squad, Captain of the Marshalls and a member of the fishing club. After taking some college courses at what is now Middlesex County College, Frank got a job at Okonite where he was a Testing Technician for many years. When the plant shut down, he started working as a custodian at the Cranbury School where he became known as "Mr. Frank" to all the students.
Mr. Frank was beloved at Cranbury by students, teachers and parents. But he was especially beloved by his nephew Richard and two nieces, Helen and Mary, who attended Cranbury School. Their Uncle Frank always had a pack of gum, tic-tacs or some money for Cranbury Pizza for them. They will never forget the love and kindness he showed them during those years at Cranbury.
Frank was an avid fan of Giant's football and Rutgers women's basketball. He had a particular love for New Hampshire where he would spend each summer fishing and enjoyed going gem mining in North Carolina with his wife - always making sure to bring back some for their friends and family.
When people think of Frank, many will be met with the memory of the joy he brought to all the children in his life. From his nieces and nephews to the students at his wife's pre-school and the children at Cranbury School, he never missed an opportunity to give out toys (the louder the better), a hand sewn pin celebrating the nearest holiday or a sweet treat. He was well known in Highland Park as "Mr. Halloween" because he gave out the best candy with the line growing each year and eventually stretching around the block.
Frank's unique laugh, his child-like take on life and his love for his nieces and nephews will be missed deeply. However, the amazing memories that he has brought into their lives will never fade.
He is survived by his mother-in-law, Dierdre (Twitchell/Galer) Thomson, his sisters Betty Ann Kurz and Anna Lipoczky (Laszlo), his late wife's siblings, Jeanne Thomson, Laura Burke (Edward), and James Thomson, his nieces and nephews, Jeff Ratliff (Shauna), Steve Lipoczky, John Lipoczky, Edward Burke III (James), William Timmerman (Amy), Johanna Timmerman, Daniel Timmerman (Lydia), Helen Zaccaria (Christopher), Richard Burke (Marina), and Mary Bunyan (Christopher), great nephews Kevin Jimenez, Nicholas Timmerman, and Anderson Zaccaria and great nieces Clare Ratliff and Lia Timmerman who all loved him very dearly.
Visitation will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Monday, September 9, 2024 from 4 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held during the visitation at 6:30 pm.