Frank G. Acocella, 94, of Clifton, passed away on November 18, 2020. Born in Newark, he lived in East Orange before moving to Clifton in 1954. A parishioner of St. Andrew the Apostle RC Church, Clifton, Frank proudly served his country in the US Air Force during WWII.

Frank was an educator his entire career, he started his career at East Orange HS as Department Chairman of Physical Education and Health. After many years in East Orange, he became Athletic Director at Parsippany HS and concluded his career as Supervisor of Physical Education, Health, Driver's Education, and Special Projects Coordinator at River Dell HS. Frank also held various coaching positions throughout his career as Head Baseball Coach - Panzer College, Assistant Football Coach - Montclair State College, Assistant Head Coach - East Orange High School, and Head Football Coach - Parsippany High School.

In addition to coaching, and being part of several State Championship Football Teams at East Orange, Frank wrote over a dozen articles that were published in national periodicals including, Scholastic Coach, Coach & Athlete, Athletic Journal, NJEA Review, and PSA Newsletter. One of his many pleasures was presenting at national football coaches conferences that were attended by such coaches as Bo Schembechler, Woody Hayes, Joe Paterno and Ara Parseghian.

Frank was a member of the NJEA, the NJ Principals and Supervisors Association, the Panzer College Distinguished Alumni Council, and was recognized in the Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. A couple of highlights from the special projects Frank worked on was a program for the Prevention of Teenage Suicide for which he received a citation and recognition from the Governor of NJ. While at River Dell HS Frank developed an Alcohol Awareness Program that was the first in the nation to include drunk driving simulators in the classroom. The program received a Presidential Commendation and was visited by then-President Ronald Reagan.

Beloved husband of the late Amelia "Amy" Acocella in 2000. Devoted father of Donna Pruett and her husband John of Bellevue, NE, and Gregory Acocella and his wife Terese of Annandale. Loving grandfather of Jennifer Hansen and her husband Luke, Matthew Pruett, Maya and Evan Acocella. Cherished great grandfather of Summer.

Funeral Monday 8:15 AM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton, and 9:30 AM at St. Andrew the Apostle RC Church, Clifton. Interment, George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. Visiting Sunday 2-6 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to the American Cancer Society, www.Cancer.org , in memory of Frank, would be greatly appreciated.