OBITUARY: Mr. Racanelli, 75, of Brick, NJ, died peacefully the morning of February 23, 2012 at Ocean Medical Hospice, Brick, NJ with his 2 children holding his hands at bedside. His final days were comforted by the love of his family and special friends through his brave 2 year battle with cancer.
 
Frank was cremated and a memorial mass will be at St. Peter’s Church, in Pt. Pleasant, NJ, Saturday March 10, 2012 at 10:30AM. Burial on Monday, March 12, 2012 - 10AM at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Sea Girt, NJ.

Born in Newark, NJ, Frank graduated from Irvington High School, then completed his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Seton Hall University. His joyous years began as lead singer in the group The Sunny Lads, signed a JAX / BMI records label, performed with celebrities like Connie Francis, Allan Fried show, toured Europe and also received honor of French Medallion for performers. Mr. Racanelli’s family life first settled down in Irvington, NJ when he married his childhood sweetheart, Estelle, in 1959, then moved to Brick Township, NJ.  He had 3 children, however, experienced a tragic loss of his first son, Steven Pascal, after a battle with Leukemia at age 6. He later resided in Pt. Pleasant, NJ for more than 30 years with his wife, daughter, Meri T. and another son, Frank S. After the death of his son, he supported various children charities, including St. Jude’s Children Hospital and a Foster parent program where he shared his family with a local child in need.  Mr. Racanelli’s university degrees directed his successful career and catapulted him from a teacher to award winning Guidance Counselor for Brick Township Public Schools. His contribution positively impacted many children’s lives and retired with accolades in 1994 as Guidance Supervisor. He was known in the district as being a tireless advocate for children and education.
 
He balanced time to family, civic service, boating, writing and recording music. He was a devoted father and helpful father figure to nieces, nephews and friend’s children. Mr. Racanelli was married to his wife Estelle for 44 years and is survived by his two children, daughter, Meri and son, Frank; his two sisters, Anne Simone and Rose DAlessio; and many nieces and nephews. 

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***MEMORIAL NOTES***
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In Lieu of flowers or gifts, he would have preferred charitable donations in his memory. As an option for those interested, we have also setup a separate fund to consolidate donations in honor of our father’s continued focus to direct his own money to a children’s charity in memory of his son, Steven, he lost to Leukemia.  After being inspired by various philanthropists assisting 3^rd world charities, our father had ambition to see a more profound impact to these children requiring medical attention with such simple financial resources.    

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MUSIC/VIDEO:  Refer to this site's video section for linked sample/tribute to Frank's earlier musical achievements of the 1950's. (Posted by YouTube users)