Frank J. Jozapaitis Sr, 89

Lake Hiawatha, NJ

Frank J. Jozapaitis Sr., 89, long time resident of Lake Hiawatha, NJ passed away on September 17, 2015. He was born June 20, 1926 to Anna and Joseph Jozapaitis in Wilkes Barre, PA.

He enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II at the tender age of 17 and saw extensive action in the Pacific at Iwo Jima and throughout Asia.

After the war, he worked as a miner in the Northeast coal mining region of Pennsylvania , then became a Merchant Marine while sailing the Great Lakes on a ship he was assigned to, the Henry Steinbrenner, that sank in May of 1953 which made national headlines at the time. His wife was informed by telegram that he was lost at sea, which of course turned out to be untrue.

Frank moved his family to New Jersey where he gained employment with General Motors Corporation, located in Linden, NJ. He became a United Auto Workers Union representative for Local 595 where he was involved with Labor grievances and local contract negotiations.

In retirement Frank and his wife Sophie enjoyed bingo games and Atlantic City gambling. Frank, with his family took many yearly trips to Tampa Bay, Fl. and Ocean City, MD in his travel trailer, which he was so proud of. Frank was an honest and decent man, loved his family and will be greatly missed.

Predeceased by his parents; beloved wife Sophie, of 50 years; daughter Debbie Koepke; sister Dorothy Tarutis; brothers Walter and Tony Jozapaitis. He is survived by his son Frank Jr.; grandson Jason Koepke; granddaughter Stacey Pitts; great granddaughter Sophia Rose Pitts; great grandsons Bradley Pitts and Jaryd Dimick; sisters Teresa Van Dyke and Nancy Banks; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at 8:30 AM at Dangler Lewis and Carey Funeral Home, 312 West Main St., in Boonton, with a funeral mass at 9:30 AM at Saint Peter the Apostle Church, 179 Baldwin Rd., Parsippany. Interment will follow to Gate of Heaven Cemetery, in East Hanover. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 from 4-8 PM at the funeral home. Letters of condolence may be posted to www.Danglerlewisandcareyfuneralhome.com.