Francis Philip Piscal

The Honorable Francis P. Piscal (State Superior Court Judge retired) passed away peacefully in his home on Friday morning with his wife and children by his side. He was born in Jersey City on August 12th, 1939 to Frank and Pauline Piscal. His father was an immigrant from Warsaw, Poland who worked as a laborer building both the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels. Frank attended St. Peter’s Grammar School and then St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City where he was named All-Metropolitan, All-State (twice) and to Sporting News' 1956 All-American team. His induction into the St. Peter's Prep Hall of Fame in 2007 was one of his proudest moments. He was awarded numerous scholarships, including Notre Dame, Miami, # 1- ranked Auburn, and Boston College. Frank decided to play football at Boston College, and he graduated cum laude from BC in 1961.

Frank met the girl of his dreams on the Point Pleasant Boardwalk when he was 15 years old not far from where his family had a small summer cottage. He never saw her again, but he talked about her all the time. Just kidding. Frank took this girl Margaret Mary (Peggy) O’Brien as his date to the Grid Iron Hop in 1954 and married her ten years later in a storybook wedding at St. Catharine’s Church in Spring Lake. He later explained that he would not get married until he graduated from St. John’s Law School in NYC. Their wedding reception was held at The Breakers Hotel in Spring Lake.

Frank was then commissioned in the US Army as a Lieutenant in the JAG Corp and was stationed at Fort Dix, NJ. Two years later, he and Peggy welcomed twins; his daughter Michelle and son Michael were born at Walson Army Hospital on July 20th, 1966. Fourteen short months later, Frank and Peggy brought three more children home! Triplet boys; Robert, John, and Francis Jr. on September 16, 1967. The triplets were born at Community Memorial Hospital in Toms River, NJ. This was before fertility drugs – unless they were part of a secret Army experiment - and so Frank and Peggy immediately became famous with articles being written and letters received from every state in the Union, and overseas too. With 5 babies in diapers, Frank and Peggy had their hands full. However, you would never hear them complain about the hard work, the sacrifices, the tuition(s), and the challenges. They focused on the rewards.

Immediately after leaving the army in 1967, Frank and Peggy moved to Toms River, NJ, and Frank joined the law firm of Berry, Whitson & Berry. Later, he became a partner in the firm later known as Berry, Summerhill, Piscal, Kagan, Hull, and Privitera. In private practice, Frank was part time Attorney for Dover Township (Toms River), represented Utility Authorities, and became a certified Trial Attorney in 1982. He loved to try a few cases a year in court, relishing the challenge. Frank also represented several insurance companies, banks, and most notably was counsel to Jersey Shore Savings & Loan Association for more than 13 years.

During the 1970’s, Frank was Municipal Judge in Seaside Heights and the Intermunicipal Court at Berkeley, Pine Beach, Beachwood, and acting Judge in Toms River. On July 14, 1989, having paid for all five of his children’s college education, Frank was sworn in as State Superior Court Judge in Ocean County. He served as Judge on the Civil, Criminal, Family, and Probate Courts until his retirement. He also took great joy in his membership on the Civil Jury Charge Committee, becoming the chairman. As a judge, he was known for his fairness, great command of the law, and his quick wit from the bench.

Frank would often say that as the son of an immigrant, he was living the American Dream. Frank was the richest man in town, having lived his entire adult life married to the girl of his dreams and appreciated and loved by his children and grandchildren. He was madly in love with his wife, and was incredibly proud of his daughter Michelle, and his sons Michael, Robert, John, and Francis. He enjoyed nothing more than family dinners where his children would entertain him and compete to make him laugh with stories about their day. He is remembered by all who knew him for his kindness, strength of character, and for being the first person to call if you ever needed help. He died peacefully in his sleep holding his wife’s hand and his son John’s hand. His son Francis has spent the last 6 years taking care of his mother and father and was there when he passed. Frank loved his many nieces and nephews, and adored his four grandchildren Eden Jane Piscal, Stephanie Piscal, Carson Piscal, and Oliver Reynolds.

He is survived by his wife Peggy Piscal, his daughter Michelle Piscal, his son-in-law Michael Reynolds, and his grandson Oliver Reynolds of Lake Oswego, Oregon; by his son Robert Piscal and his daughter-in-law Dana Piscal of Toms River, and granddaughters Eden Jane and Stephanie, and grandson Carson Piscal; his sons Michael and John of Red Bank, NJ, and his son Francis Jr. of Lakewood, NJ. Also, his sister in-laws Nina Piscal (Toms River), Sheila Lucarelli (Monmouth Beach), Lydia O'Brien Mooty (Red Bank), Patricia O'Brien (Lakewood), Barbara O'Brien (Lakewood), Helen O'Brien (Deal), and brother-in-law Kevin O'Brien (San Francisco).

He was predeceased by his brother Richard Piscal, his father Frank Piscal, his mother Pauline Piscal.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday November 21st at 11:30 am at St. Joseph's Church in Toms River.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that if you wish, you can make a donation in Frank's honor to his son's schools College Achieve Public Schools or his alma mater St. Peter's Prep where Frank was inducted into the St. Peter's Prep Hall of Fame in 2007.