Roy E. Frenzke

Roy Edward Frenzke, 79, of Manchester, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on February 9, 2022 with his family at his bedside. A lifelong resident of NJ, he had previously lived in Ridgewood, NJ for 27 years and grew up in Cliffside Park, NJ. Roy attended the Cliffside Park public schools; Jersey City State College (BA); New York University (MA); and Montclair State University for post-graduate studies. He was a career high school educator of English with an affinity for Shakespeare and Olde English (not the malt beverage), probably because he couldn’t add 2 plus 2 with a calculator (his own words) nor could he draw a straight line with a ruler (also his own words) so the sciences were out, even though he was always fascinated by things scientific and mechanical. He began his career in North Arlington, NJ but the remainder of his career was spent with the Sewanhaka Central High School District on Long Island, where he taught at both Elmont High School and Floral Park Memorial High School, where he eventually retired. Roy was a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, having been drafted into service and serving from 1966 to 1968, stationed on Okinawa. Due to flat-feet he was not able to complete basic training at Fort Dix, NJ, so the Army, in its infinite wisdom sent him to finance school at Fort Benjamin Harrison (see above, adding 2+2).

His leisure activities included listening to and restoring pipe organs, including theater pipe organs at the Pascack Theater in Westwood, NJ and Lafayette Theater in Suffern, NY. Roy was a huge fan of roller coasters, riding dozens of them all over the eastern half of the U.S. His love of trains was unsurpassed and he volunteered for many years as a conductor, engineer and educator at the Pine Creek Rail Road at Allaire State Park, NJ. Roy loved music (“Life is music, why aren’t you listening?”) with classical music bringing him the most joy, especially during the last year of his life. He also enjoyed Big Band and Jazz from the 1940’s and early Rock-and-Roll from the 1950’s, but anything after 1960 Roy considered nothing but noise, which is unfortunate because he missed out on listening to Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train”. A devout reader, he was never found without having a book in his hands and was one of the few people who could finish the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle without help.

He is survived by his angelic, steadfast wife, Mary (Gundersdorf) Frenzke; incredibly handsome and smart son Eric; creative and wonderfully supportive Daughter-in-Law Toni Frenzke; and his beloved Grandchildren, beautiful and sassy Addison Frenzke and (also) incredibly handsome, fleet-of-foot Hunter Frenzke, of Lillington, NC; Sisters-in-Law Dr. Wilma von Jess of Acushnet, MA; Miriam Gill of Fanwood, NJ; and Brother-in-Law Dr. Kenneth Gill also of Fanwood, NJ. Roy has a large extended family of 12 nieces and nephews and dozens of grand nieces and nephews. He is also survived by one cousin, Claire Stanchich of Stratford, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Alzheimers.org; Hackensack Meridian Hospice; or to the wonderful first-responders at the Manchester Township, NJ Police and Paramedics would be appreciated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.andersoncampbellmanchester.com for the Frenzke family.