FRANK J. PUGLIESE

PUGLIESE, FRANK J. - of Naples, FL, passed away Monday, April 11, 2011. Frank, a longtime resident of Millville, was born in North Bergen on Jan. 14, 1926, to Thomas Pugliese and Louise Avoletta. The family moved to Millville in 1937. Frank attended Millville High School and excelled in sports, especially football, earning a varsity letter in his freshman year. He was very active in the Boy Scouts program, spending his summers and vacations helping to build camp sites at what was known as Camp Kimball in Auburn. Upon graduation in 1943, Frank enlisted in the Army Air Corps, where he was trained as a top turret gunner on a B-24 bomber. Stationed in Manduria, Italy, Frank completed a tour of 28 combat missions, many of which were the longest on record at the time, taking off from the southern tip of Italy's heel and bombing targets deep in Germany, carrying two, 500-pound bombs. After his honorable discharge from the service, Frank attended Villanova University on a football and athletic scholarship on the GI Bill, where he majored in accounting and graduated with the Class of 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. He then obtained a position with Armstrong Cork Co., Glass Division, and was assigned to the Millville Glass plant as a cost accountant and later promoted to assistant plant comptroller. In 1952, Frank married Eleanor Gimber, with her three children, Eleanor "Honey," Barbara and Gregory. In 1959, Frank and his brother-in-law, Joseph Farnoly, purchased Bill's Package Store and renamed it City Liquor Store. Frank and Joe operated City Liquor Store as co-owners for almost 30 years. Due to Frank's ill health, Frank and Joe sold City Liquor in 1987. Frank and his wife enjoyed their retirement until 1996, when Eleanor passed away after 44 years of marriage. Frank moved to Florida and was a resident of the Glades Golf and Country Club. In 2003, Frank was married to Evelyn Shank, a year-round resident of the Glades. Frank and Evelyn continued to enjoy their passion for golf and other social activities. They returned often to spend family summers in Sea Isle City. Frank was very active in support of Millville Hospital and served on the board of directors for several years. He was also a life member of the Elks and the VFW, and was a member of the American Legion since 1945. Frank was an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan, dating back to the games played at Franklin Field. He was a lover of opera, attending many performances at the Metropolitan Opera House and at Lincoln Center. Frank was predeceased by his first wife, Eleanor, and her two daughters, Eleanor "Honey" Green and Barbara J. Shaw; and his beloved sister, Annette Farnoly. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn S. Pugliese; brother-in-law, Joe Farnoly; daughter-in-law, Bernadette Gimber; three step grandchildren: granddaughter, Eleanor G. Brew and her husband Dennis, grandson, Dr. Steven Gimber and granddaughter, Michele Chiari and her husband Jamie; great-grandson, Michael Chiari; four godchildren: namesake Frank Avoletta, Caroline Farnoly Jennings, Jenifer Vertolli and Charles Labas; niece, Kathy Ragone and her husband Paul; nephew, Thomas P. Farnoly and his wife Francie; niece, Maria L. Gifford and her husband Brian; nephew, Joseph F. Farnoly and his wife Tanya; niece, Sharon Lynch; and many grand- and great-grandnieces and grand- and great-grandnephews in the Ragone, Farnoly, Gifford and Lynch families. The viewing will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Rocap-Shannon Funeral Home, 24 N. 2nd St., Millville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 621 Dock St., Millville. The Rite of Committal will immediately follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Millville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Frank J. Pugliese to St. Mary Magdalene Regional School, 7 W. Powell St., Millville, NJ 08332; The Southern New Jersey Council Boy Scouts of America, 4468 S. Main Road, Millville NJ 08332; or Avow Hospice Inc., 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105. Written condolences may be sent to: rocapshannon@aol.com.