A funeral mass was offered Jan. 31 at St. Ann’s R.C. Church, Hoboken, for Frank D. Chiocco, 95, of Point Pleasant Beach, formerly of Hoboken. Mr. Chiocco attended Demarest High School and Panzer College, (now Montclair State University), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He was an accomplished gymnast and won many titles. He was a member of the baseball team and served on many committees and councils as well as the Honor Society. He also reached his doctorate level in education from Seton Hall University.
Upon graduation he enlisted in the military where he served as a member in the Elite Rangers Unit specializing in jungle warfare. He was deployed to various locations in the Pacific Arena including New Guinea and Japan. He participated in the historic Battle of Luzon where his unit was drastically out numbered. He was awarded a Silver Star for bravery due to his heroic efforts on the battlefield.
After the war Mr. Chiocco became employed as a teacher in the Hoboken school system where he retired as principal. He was engaged as a football coach and eventually head basketball coach for Demarest and Hoboken high schools. Mr. Chiocco garnered many championships during his tenure as coach. He also volunteered his time for many years as the coach of the Cassalino Little League baseball team. He also was director of the Hoboken Y.M.C.A. for many years. He was a championship swimmer and taught hundreds of youngsters to swim.
He was also a mentor to many students, guiding them not only in education and sports but in life lessons. He received hundreds of letters in years to come from those he mentored expressing sincere thanks for helping them go to college, receive scholarships and end up in good places and for providing structure and guidance when they had been forgotten by others. He also headed the summer Camp Tamakqua program for youths and worked for the home of the blind during his lifetime he was the recipient of many awards including man of the year, citizen of the year and a charter member of the Hoboken sports hall of fame. He was a member of many athletic, civic and educational clubs, many of which he served as chairman.
Mr. Chiocco leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Antoinette. He was father to Frances Chiocco Chirichella and Joseph Chiocco and to son-in-law Dominick Chirichella. He is remembered fondly by his grandchildren Christina Chirichella Umek, Salvatore Umek, Jacquelyn Chirichella, John Chirichella and Frank and Nicholas Chiocco. He was a great-grandfather to Gina, Isabella, Sophia and Antonella Umek as well as Algus and Joseph Chiocco. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. Services arranged by the Lawton-Turso Funeral Home, Hoboken.