Frank was a great friend. When we moved to Haddonfield in 1956, he was the first person I met in my third grade class at Lizzy Haddon, and his warm, gracious manner made me feel right at home. We remained close all through school, and he was a regular at our house. My mom’s prolific baking was well known among my friends, and a lot of kids would stop by. But Frank was her favorite. She would often comment how polite and well-mannered he was.
Frank and I were both late bloomers. Neither of us excelled at school or sports or dating, and we flew under the radar for the most part. It went unspoken between us, but as graduation approached, I knew that Frank felt more and more like a small fish in a big pond. But when he got accepted to Rider College, everything changed. He found something he loved, and his new school suited him perfectly. At the end of his first year, he was getting A’s, a notable figure on his campus, and was quickly emerging into his destiny. He came by our house again in the summer of our sophomore year, and my family were all impressed with the new happy, confident Frank. It was the last time we would see him.
On Christmas break of our senior year, he was driving home from school. An oncoming car crossed the double yellow line and in the ensuing head-on crash, Frank was gone in a heartbeat. The famous Jersey barriers (developed in New Jersey in the late 50s) had not yet appeared, and I like to think that Frank’s passing at least hastened their installation.
While his life was tragically short, I take some comfort in knowing that my friend Frank went out on the crest of his wave. He had found himself, he was doing what he loved, and he will remain forever young.
Josh, thanks so much for the great details of your friendship with Frank. As you know, my family moved to Atlanta fall of 1966, so I missed out on so much that happened in Haddonfield after senior year. Frank was always funny, kind, and ready to smile. We've lost too many, too soon.
I knew Frank at Lizzy Haddon; he was always there, someone in my school life from the beginning. My parents moved to Cranbury, NJ in 1967, and. I was familiar with the road that took Frank's life. It was shocking, and I never drove in that area without thinking of him.
Wow! I worked in Cranbury as an assistant in the fuels research lab as part of a Drexel Coop assignment. The timeframe was nearly the same. Somewhere around 1970. What road was it, please, that cost Frank his life? I'm wondering if there is a newspaper article on it. I may check for one...
P.S. That coop assignment nearly got me a regular patent royalty, as I came up with a new lead additive for gasoline that was less expensive and some 4x as good as the standard additive. Half-way through the process, the big boss came into the lab and announced the "bad news." The government was taking the lead out of the gas!
I loved Frank. He was one funny guy. We spent time together the Summer before he died and I introduced to him to my girlfriend, Kathy, who is still my girlfriend .
Frank's brother, Doug, contributed the following correction on November 24. "Frank was on his way home for Christmas break from his internship job at Bamberger's in Princeton. He was a senior at Rider College. A drunk driver veered into his lane on Rt. 206, killing Frank instantly. I am friendly with several folks from HMHS '66, having graduated from same in1969 and settling in Haddonfield. Frank was my only sibling and I still miss him for his gracious manners, sense of humor, and kind sensibility. "
I remember that Thanksgiving so well. When word spread about Frank's death it was such a shock.
Unfortuantely Route 130 is still considered one of the most dangerous streets in America. We keep working to make it safer. The big danger today is for pedestrians. Some have been killed while crossing at a traffic light and some have been killed while stupidly jumping over the barriers. See TV quote from March 2015.
Rest in peace, Luke
EDGEWATER PARK, N.J. (WPVI) -- For the fifth year in a row the nonprofit Tri-State Transportation Campaign has named Route 130 the most dangerous road in New Jersey for pedestrians.
Nine people died between 2011 and 2013, and the deaths continue.
Earlier this month in Edgewater Park a man was killed crossing the busy highway, and last night in Delran another was critically injured.
I too remember Frank from an early age maye 6, as my round the corner neighbor. We lived on the field of Lizzy Haddon. Wonderful guy. I especially remember visiting his home at Christmas time. He, Doug and his Dad had a fabulous train set -- Most unique in the neighborhood. RIP my friend.
Josh Gitomer
Frank was a great friend. When we moved to Haddonfield in 1956, he was the first person I met in my third grade class at Lizzy Haddon, and his warm, gracious manner made me feel right at home. We remained close all through school, and he was a regular at our house. My mom’s prolific baking was well known among my friends, and a lot of kids would stop by. But Frank was her favorite. She would often comment how polite and well-mannered he was.
Frank and I were both late bloomers. Neither of us excelled at school or sports or dating, and we flew under the radar for the most part. It went unspoken between us, but as graduation approached, I knew that Frank felt more and more like a small fish in a big pond. But when he got accepted to Rider College, everything changed. He found something he loved, and his new school suited him perfectly. At the end of his first year, he was getting A’s, a notable figure on his campus, and was quickly emerging into his destiny. He came by our house again in the summer of our sophomore year, and my family were all impressed with the new happy, confident Frank. It was the last time we would see him.
On Christmas break of our senior year, he was driving home from school. An oncoming car crossed the double yellow line and in the ensuing head-on crash, Frank was gone in a heartbeat. The famous Jersey barriers (developed in New Jersey in the late 50s) had not yet appeared, and I like to think that Frank’s passing at least hastened their installation.
While his life was tragically short, I take some comfort in knowing that my friend Frank went out on the crest of his wave. He had found himself, he was doing what he loved, and he will remain forever young.
Vicki Meece (Knowles)
Josh, thanks so much for the great details of your friendship with Frank. As you know, my family moved to Atlanta fall of 1966, so I missed out on so much that happened in Haddonfield after senior year. Frank was always funny, kind, and ready to smile. We've lost too many, too soon.
Janet Haynes (Lehman)
I knew Frank at Lizzy Haddon; he was always there, someone in my school life from the beginning. My parents moved to Cranbury, NJ in 1967, and. I was familiar with the road that took Frank's life. It was shocking, and I never drove in that area without thinking of him.
Vincent Summers
Wow! I worked in Cranbury as an assistant in the fuels research lab as part of a Drexel Coop assignment. The timeframe was nearly the same. Somewhere around 1970. What road was it, please, that cost Frank his life? I'm wondering if there is a newspaper article on it. I may check for one...
P.S. That coop assignment nearly got me a regular patent royalty, as I came up with a new lead additive for gasoline that was less expensive and some 4x as good as the standard additive. Half-way through the process, the big boss came into the lab and announced the "bad news." The government was taking the lead out of the gas!
Janet Haynes (Lehman)
It was Princeton-Hightstown Road.
Nelson Widell
I loved Frank. He was one funny guy. We spent time together the Summer before he died and I introduced to him to my girlfriend, Kathy, who is still my girlfriend .
Vicki Meece (Knowles)
Frank's brother, Doug, contributed the following correction on November 24. "Frank was on his way home for Christmas break from his internship job at Bamberger's in Princeton. He was a senior at Rider College. A drunk driver veered into his lane on Rt. 206, killing Frank instantly. I am friendly with several folks from HMHS '66, having graduated from same in1969 and settling in Haddonfield. Frank was my only sibling and I still miss him for his gracious manners, sense of humor, and kind sensibility. "Vicki Meece (Knowles)
I found this in the 1965 Shield. Great picture of Frank.
Jeff Lucas
I remember that Thanksgiving so well. When word spread about Frank's death it was such a shock.
Unfortuantely Route 130 is still considered one of the most dangerous streets in America. We keep working to make it safer. The big danger today is for pedestrians. Some have been killed while crossing at a traffic light and some have been killed while stupidly jumping over the barriers. See TV quote from March 2015.
Rest in peace, Luke
EDGEWATER PARK, N.J. (WPVI) -- For the fifth year in a row the nonprofit Tri-State Transportation Campaign has named Route 130 the most dangerous road in New Jersey for pedestrians.
Nine people died between 2011 and 2013, and the deaths continue.
Earlier this month in Edgewater Park a man was killed crossing the busy highway, and last night in Delran another was critically injured.
Jon Clisham
I too remember Frank from an early age maye 6, as my round the corner neighbor. We lived on the field of Lizzy Haddon. Wonderful guy. I especially remember visiting his home at Christmas time. He, Doug and his Dad had a fabulous train set -- Most unique in the neighborhood. RIP my friend.