Frankie "Pocketbooks" Sommerer

Frankie "Pocketbooks" Sommerer, 90 years old of Toms River passed away on February 18th, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.
Frank was born on August 10, 1933 in Philadelphia where he attended North Catholic High. He then proudly served his country with the United States Marine Corps. He went on to marry Dotty Rader, who predeceased him in 2000.
Frank and Dotty met at Karamac, a summer camp along the Delaware Water Gap where they both worked. Their love of music and dancing brought them together and they soon fell in love. They married in 1959 and were blessed with two children Frank (Skip) and Kelly.
In 1960 they moved to Willow Grove, PA where he was employed for Philco as a computer programmer. Their desire to own their own business led them to the Jersey Shore, where they opened their first boardwalk concession. Together they owned and operated Dotty's Amusements for over 50 years on both Seaside Park and Seaside Heights Boardwalks.
"Pocketbooks" as his friends loving called him was named for his iconic handbag stand on the Seaside boardwalk. While small in stature, his personality was larger than life. He cherished the friendships he made and they became his second family. He truly loved each and every one of them.
Even after retiring, he remained active in the community and was involved with the Berkeley Striper Club as well as serving on the board of directors for the Seaside Italian American Club. He enjoyed his time selling raffle tickets and talking to friends at the boardwalk.
Frankie loved the Phillies, Villanova basketball, fishing, hunting and his weekly trips with his son Skip to Atlantic City to play blackjack. He was also an avid reader.
He is survived by a son, Dr. Frank "Skip" Sommerer and his wife Mina (Egan), a daughter Kelly Bruno and her husband Giuseppe, as well as his grandchildren Chelsea DiBlasi and her husband Matt, Jodi, Austin, Joshua and his wife Amanda (Kennedy), and Logan as well as his great granddaughter Maisie.
Friends and family are invited to the Silverton Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, February 23 from 1:00pm until 4:00pm with a service beginning at 4:00pm.