Obituary of Frank J. Santafede

Frank J. Santafede, age 80, of Pittsgrove Twp. passed away peacefully at the Penn Presbyterian Trauma Center in Philadelphia on November 15, 2017 following a brief illness.

Frank was born in New York City to the late Francesco Santafede and Margaret Boehm Santafede, he was the husband of Gail Champagne Santafede. Frank and Gail had also resided in Rhode Island for many years before moving to Pittsgrove.

Prior to his retirement, Frank had worked for 10 years as the Administrator of the Philadelphia Newspaper Guild. He had also been employed by the Providence Journal for 23 years, while serving as the president of the Newspaper Guild in Providence. Previously, he worked at different newspapers in Texas and throughout New England. Frank graduated from St. Anthony’s College, NY with a B.A. in theology and later attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute, working toward a graduate degree in computer science. Frank was also a Veteran of the United States Air Force serving in the Vietnam War in the Intelligence service. He had earned a bronze star during the Buddhist uprising in Da Nang and had achieved the rank of Captain. In his free time, Frank enjoyed traveling with his wife all over the United States and especially throughout Italy. They visited many national parks including Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. They also loved Jackson Hole, WY where they celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. Frank had attended Friendship Finley United Methodist Church in Upper Deerfield Twp.

He is survived by: his wife, Gail Santafede of Pittsgrove, three children, Valerie Koehler, Michael Moratti and Crystal Sliva and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, 1107 State Highway 77, Upper Deerfield Twp. on Thursday, November 30th at 11 AM. Interment will take place at Union Grove Cemetery in Pittsgrove Twp. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 9:30 AM to 11 AM prior to the services. Written condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.