Frank J. Cumiskey

CUMISKEY - Frank J., three-time Olympic Gymnast, dies at 91 Silver Medallist in '32, captured 21 National AAU titles and founder of Junior Olympics and Judges Hall of Fame, formerly of Rockleigh, died July 21, 2004 in Vero Beach, FL. He was 91. Born in West New York, NJ on September 6, 1911, Cumiskey helped popularize gymnastics in the United States. In the 1932 Summer Olympic games in Los Angeles, he led the USA to its first silver medal winning performance in Team All-Around competition. Cumiskey also competed in the 1936 games in Berlin, Germany placing 10th in Team All-Around and 7th in the London, England games of 1948. From 1934 to 1948, Cumiskey captured an unprecedented twenty-one National AAU titles. He holds the U.S. record for longevity in Olympic competition at sixteen years between 1932 and 1948. Mr. Cumiskey founded the National Gymnastics Judges Association and was the original honoree in its Hall of Fame in 1972, which bears his name. He established the Men's Junior Olympic Program in 1979, defining its present design and format. In 2000, Sports Illustrated listed him as the 33rd best athlete all-time from the State of New Jersey in the 20th Century. Mr. Cumiskey worked for the US Postal Service Department of Bureau Operations in Washington, DC for thirty-two years before retiring in 1977. He is survived by his wife Margaret and daughter Clara Schnakenberg and son-in-law Henry Schnakenberg of Oradell, grandchildren Jennie and James Quick of Neshanic Station, Julie and Thomas Seifert of Rutherford, June and James Karpowich of Wayne, Thomas Schnakenberg of Oradell, Frank Cumiskey of Rockleigh, Judy and Denis Bosco of Wall Township, Billy and Lisa Stoughton of Brick Township and Donna Griener of Williamsburg, VA, great-grandchildren Ryan, Robert and Emily Quick of Neshanic Station and Jenna Mary Karpowich of Wayne, Dylan and Denis Hunter Bosco of Wall Township, and Kate and Sydney Stoughton of Brick Township. He is also survived by daughter-in-law Margie Cumiskey of Park Ridge, daughter Carol Stoughton of Edgewater, FL and son Edward Cumiskey of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Funeral arrangements were private.