Frank Joseph Bartolone Sr.,88, of Hammonton, N.J. passed peacefully Friday, August 12, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
Frank was born in Santa Lucia Del Mela, Sicily, Italy in 1933 to Carmen and Madeline. He moved to Hammonton in 1934. Frank graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1951 and Camden Commerical (now Pierce College) in 1956.
Frank was drafted in 1956 into the U.S. Army and served at Howard Air Force Base in Panama as an Army Transportation Supply Specialist. He further distinguished himself as the private secretary to the Company Commander and was responsible for filing reports to Washington D.C. on aircraft making the best topographical maps of Central and South America at the time. After his military service, Frank passed the Enrollment Exam as a Public Accountant and opened his practice on November 1, 1959. Frank’s commitment to the tax and accounting industry led him to serve as President of the Camden County Chapter of the N.J. Public Accountants Association from 1972 until 1980.
His passion for business would lead him to serve the local banking community for over 40 years. He served as treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors for Progressive Building and Loan in Berlin, N.J. He later became a founding board member of Equity National Bank which was purchased by Susquehanna Bank where he continued as a board member.
His belief and commitment to community would lead to numerous public service roles marked by signature accomplishments. From 1958 to 1967 he served as Chairman of the Hammonton Water Commission. His careful oversight saw the town’s water supply increased by the drilling of what is today known as Well #2 as well as the color coding of all of the town’s fire hydrants.
In 1970, overcrowding in the Hammonton Public School system led Frank to run for School Board in 1971. Serving as Chairman of the Finance Committee, Frank worked toward passing the Bond issue to build Hammonton High School and the Warren E. Sooy Jr. Elementary School.
A dedicated member of the Berlin and Hammonton Rotary Clubs, Frank served as President and Past President of both clubs and amassed 47 years of perfect attendance.
Frank was devoted to his parish and high school alma mater serving on the Board of Directors for St. Joseph School in addition to the Parish Council of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish at St. Joseph Church. Together Frank and Renate Bartolone founded the Frank and Renate Bartolone Scholarship Fund. In recognition of his commitment, he received citizenship awards from St. Joseph’s Red and White society, the Camden Diocese Bishop’s Medal and was nominated by the Diocese and appointed by Pope John Paul II to the elite Knights of St. Gregory.
He is survived by his loving wife, Renate (nee Bauer); his children, Monica Maiorino (Thomas), Debra Volpicelli (James), Frank Bartolone (Amy) and David Bartolone (Amy); his sister, Marie Myers (James); and brother, Joseph Bartolone (Serene). He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Thomas, Vincent, Robert, Allison, Zachary, Natalie, Jason, Matthew, Isabella, Sophia, Ava, Dylan and Lana, and he now joins John in heaven.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation on Friday, August 19, 2022 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish St. Joseph Church Third & French Streets Hammonton, N.J. with a Mass of Christian Burial starting at noon. Burial and Military Honors will be held at Washington Crossing National Cemetery at a later date.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Frank and Renate Bartolone Scholarship Fund at 10523 Fox Crest Court, Great Falls, VA 22066.
Arrangements made by the Marinella Funeral Home, 102 N. Third St. Hammonton, N.J.