Franklin J. Pfeifer Jr.

Franklin Pfeifer Jr., aged 91½, of Iselin, NJ, peacefully passed away at 1 AM on Friday, February 13, 2026, at JFK Medical Center in Edison, surrounded by his family.

Born and raised in Newark, NJ, Franklin had been a resident of Iselin since 1970. He had a distinguished career, working in quality control for Celanese Coatings, serving as a foreman at Mason Candlelight, and later managing at Mason Metals Stamping Companies.

Franklin embodied the joy of living, always eager to learn and embrace new experiences until the very end. He was a proud member of the Deutscher Club of Clark and the German social and dance club, Bayern Verein in Newark. He deeply valued his German heritage and dedicated himself to learning the language these past 10 years. A passionate music lover, he acquired the equipment and learned to DJ events, driven by his desire to get people up and dancing. His eclectic taste in music enriched his life.

In the kitchen, he found joy in cooking, always with a cookbook by his side and a new tool in hand to explore different recipes. "The Joy of Cooking" was often open on his table. A devoted Catholic, he read the Bible daily and selflessly served his community by opening St. Cecilia's Church for morning mass for many decades. Frank's generosity shone through in his thoughtfulness for others, as he consistently supported various charities and felt deeply for those in need.

An avid fisherman, Franklin took great pleasure in tying flies and cherished his time outdoors. A perfect day for him would be wearing his waders in Ken Lockwood Gorge, hoping for a good catch. His passion for travel led him on numerous road trips, including a memorable visit to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit, with stops at Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Toronto. He also traveled to Smoky Mountain National Park, visiting Shenandoah National Park along the way. His final long journey included a visit to the Ark in Kentucky, with stops at various Ohio state parks, the Creation Museum, and the Bourbon Trail.

Franklin was predeceased by his parents, Franklin Sr. and Margaret Saggau, his beloved wife Shirley; his two sons, Mark and Michael; and his sister, Muriel Politowicz (Joseph).

He is survived by his children, Franklin III, John, and Christine Tafilowski; his grandchildren Barbara (Robert), Nadine (Jonatas), Joseph (Stephanie), Jessica, and John Jr.; as well as his great-grandchildren Joshua, Isaiah, Judah, and Kinsley, and a great-great-grandson, Micah; and his brother, Conrad Pfeifer and wife Joan. His beloved cat, Prince, will also miss him deeply as they shared a special bond.

Frank lived life to the fullest and will be profoundly missed.

The funeral will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 9:30am from the Costello-Runyon Funeral Home, 1225 Green Street & Cooper Avenue, Iselin followed by a 10:15am Funeral Mass in St. Cecelia's RC Church, Iselin.

Interment will be in Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 3 to 7pm.