Frank Lobravico, Former Parade Grand Marshal, Dies at 79

Francis "Frank" D. Lobravico, 79, a former grand marshal of the Memorial Day Parade in Point Pleasant, died on July 7.

Frank Lobravico passed away after a long battle with cancer, said his son, Peter Lobravico, a long time resident of Point Pleasant Borough and 1992 Borough High School graduate.

Peter Lobravico wrote of his father, "He was a well-known and widely-loved individual in Point Pleasant and he was most recently honored at this year's Memorial Day ceremony in Community Park, as he was a former grand marshal of the Memorial Day parade (he served in the Korean War) and Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 20 in Brick. He passed away surrounded by his family's circle of love."

The obituary from the family is as follows:

"Born in Manhattan, Frank Lobravico grew up in Rutherford, and then lived at the Jersey Shore most of his life, mainly in Point Pleasant and most recently in Brick.

He was an insurance executive for 40 years until his retirement from Chiltington International in 2004. He was a member of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Point Pleasant Beach.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and continued his service in later years as Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 20 in Brick.

"Frankie Prez" was a founding member and two-term president of the House of Jim's Social Club of Wood-Ridge, NJ. Frank was an avid reader, enjoyed the beach, the opera, and could tell a story or a joke like no one else!

Francis was predeceased by his parents, F. Dominick and Gilda Iannicelli Lobravico, as well as his sister, Carolyn Lobravico Berger. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Susan; his daughter and her husband, Dina and Frank Ricciardi of Doylestown, PA; his son, Peter Francis Lobravico and his wife Tamara of Point Pleasant; and his beloved grandchildren, Robert Francis, Cara Lillian, and Charles Francis, who all lovingly adored their Poppy."