Frank E. Fiorilli went home to the Lord on Friday, January 7, 2022, at Robert Wood Johnson Rahway Hospital. Wrapped in his favorite warm blanket and listening to the music of Stevie Wonder and George Benson, he was holding the hand of his wife of 56 years, Cleo Fiorilli (nee Renna), with his daughters and son (in-law) at his side.

Born in Newark, NJ and raised in East Orange, Frank attended Clifford J. Scott High School, where he played football, performed in school plays, and sang in chorus. His beautiful tenor voice won him a slot as soloist in the 1961 NJ Statewide Opera Festival, and his love for music continued throughout his life, one of the many gifts he passed on to his children.  He graduated from Rutgers University, Newark, cum laude, in 1965, the first in his family to graduate college.

Frank served his country for 35 years as a dedicated public servant. He began his career as a Presidential Intern in 1964, and moved up the ranks of resource management to the position of Controller, U.S. Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM), Fort Monmouth, NJ. At the pinnacle of his career, he was appointed to the Senior Executive Service. As both Comptroller and Deputy for Business and Strategic Management, he was instrumental in keeping Fort Monmouth  open for many years in the face of Base Realignment and Closure, and as a leader he championed programs promoting equal employment opportunity and support for persons with disabilities. While raising his two girls in Sayreville, he was a member of the Sayreville Jaycees and a candidate for the Sayreville Board of Education. After his retirement in 1999, he moved to Bethlehem, PA where he attended St. Ann's, then Our Lady of Perpetual Help R.C. Church.  His faith in God was deep and unwavering.  He moved back to NJ in 2020, residing in Clark.

Throughout his life, Frank loved gardening, spending time with his girls, playing craps and roulette in Atlantic City, and trying new things.  He even worked as a background actor, serving as a juror on an episode of "Homicide, Life on the Street."  He loved to travel, read, smoke cigars and chat with his son (in law) Javier, and, back in the day, grew colossal, award-winning tomatoes of which he was very proud. He also loved sudoku, old movies and always discussing, eating, and reviewing his next meal.  He cherished visits from loyal friends from CECOM who never forgot him. Frank was a cheerful, easy-going extrovert who would walk into a room of strangers and leave it full of smiling new friends.

Frank was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Josephine (nee Stroppa) Fiorilli, and his sisters, Marie T. Hurley and Geraldine DiSilvestro.  He is survived by his beloved wife Cleo (Columbia) (nee Renna) whose loyal and selfless care allowed him to stay in his home until the end of this life. He also leaves behind his daughter, Laura Fiorilli, of Franklin Park, NJ his daughter Joanne Fiorilli-Inclán, son (in-law) Javier Inclán, and his granddog, Josie, of Arlington, Virginia. He will be remembered for his smiling, positive outlook by his niece Diane Collier, his nephew Joseph DiSilvestro, his niece Nancy Winslow, many cousins, and great nieces and nephews near and far.  Frank is also survived by the legacy of hundreds of Army civilians and soldiers whom he mentored, supported and loved throughout his career. A conference room at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, dedicated in his honor in 2018, is now dedicated to his memory.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Friday, January 14, from 9:15 until 11:15 a.m. in the Pearson Funeral Home, 1901 Linden Street, Bethlehem, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at St. Anne Roman Catholic Church, Easton and Washington Avenues, Bethlehem, PA 18017.  The Mass will be shared on Facebook Live beginning at 11:30 a.m. on the Pearson Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook page.  Burial will be in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude at www.stjude.org

COVID 19 REQUEST: Out of respect for the family's wishes, we ask that visitors wear well-fitted masks at all times during visitation and services, and observe appropriate social distancing.   Although no repast is planned after services, we hope you will join us for a memorial meal in Frank's honor at a later date to be announced.