Frank Louis Mellana

Born June 27, 1937, in Manhattan to Ignazio (Tommy) and Theresa Mellana, Frank grew up in Queens, N.Y., graduating from Xavier High School and Fordham University before earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Columbia University. After serving for two years in the United States Army, achieving the rank of captain, he practiced dentistry for 55 years, his practice based in upper Manhattan, across from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, where he was on staff as an Associate Clinical Professor for nearly the entire duration of his career.

A man of many titles – Doctor, Pop and Nonno among them – the title Frank wore most devotedly was Husband. He met the former Adrienne Schiavon when they were children and first asked her on a date some 12 years later. At the time of his death, Frank and Adrienne were nearing their 64th wedding anniversary.

Among his many interests, Frank was an avid golfer, musician and photographer, and also was a founding parishioner at Our Lady Mother of the Church in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., the town in which he built a home in 1967 and where he raised his family.

His life was blessed by many friends – from childhood summers in Italy, high school and college, years in dentistry, golf and musical associations, and the OLMC parish – friends who often remarked to his children what a true gentleman they had for a father.

In addition to Adrienne, Frank is survived by children Frank Jr. and Nancy, Mark and Joyce, Tom and Suzanne, and Jennifer and Keith; grandchildren Frank III and Ashley, Jonathan, Kendall, Jenna, and Scott; and great-granddaughter Ella, who he welcomed to the family in November.

Calling hours will be Thursday, June 5 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. at Becker Funeral Home in Westwood, N.J. A funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Friday at Our Lady Mother of the Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at t2t.org.

A visitation for Frank will be held Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ 07675. A visitation will occur Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ 07675. A funeral mass will occur Friday, June 6, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Our Lady Mother of the Church, 209 Woodcliff Ave, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677. A committal service will occur Friday, June 6, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 11:45 AM at Maryrest Cemetery & Mausoleum, 770 Darlington Ave, Mahwah, NJ 07430.