Francis P. Nordyk

For those who knew Frank, he was definitely a man of few words and someone who did not like being the center of attention. Even as we try to celebrate his life, he’s probably looking down on us with his typical Frank eye roll, annoyed noises, and hand gestures signifying that you should just “come on already!” Frank wouldn’t care to share facts about his life, like saying how he was born May 22, 1949 in Passaic, NJ to Peter and Armida Nordyk. He also would not think it’s important for you to know that he joined the Marines in 1966; attended boot camp in Parris Island; completed not only one but two tours of duty in Vietnam; was awarded numerous medals including the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and two Purple Hearts; married his love, Laurel (Helle), on November 7, 1970; and went on to have three children who he was proud of but who irritated him, as well as 6 grandchildren. We will miss hearing Frank constantly answer the phone as if you just pulled him away from something important (which you never did), pacing around as if he is ready to leave and has somewhere else to be (which he never had), and mumbling to himself when something is irritating him (which happened very frequently). Other things we will miss about Mr. Happy: His signature grimace in photos (capturing a Frank smile was as elusive as a Bigfoot sighting), his brutal honesty and sarcastic comments, and his love of wearing nothing but Hawaiian print or denim shirts and sunglasses all the time, even inside a house. Despite all of this, or perhaps because of it, Frank will be missed dearly by all of those who knew and loved him. His no-nonsense, “what you see is what you get” attitude actually made him a deeply loved, respected, and cherished larger than life personality.  Frank is predeceased by his parents Peter and Armida Nordyk. He leaves behind “Lorelei”, his beloved wife of 51 years; three children- daughter Laurel and her husband Chris McGee, son Jason and his fiancé Lauren Knauss, and daughter Jennifer and her fiancé Scott Orman, 6 beautiful grandchildren (Josh, Matt, Conor, Sofia, AJ, and Owen) and 5 siblings, particularly Glenn (Toms River) and Dennis (Monroe, CT). In lieu of flowers, we respectfully ask that you turn off any unnecessary lights in your home in honor or Frank’s favorite phrase “Turn that damn light off!” 

A Memorial Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 from 4 to 6 PM at Horizon Funeral & Cremation Services, 1329 Route 37 W, Toms River, NJ.

Masks are required in the funeral home.