Francis Joseph Helmstetter Jr. of Bloomfield passed away on Monday, September 13, 2021 at the age of 85. He passed away peacefully at home, spending his last days surrounded by his family.
Frank was born on May 6, 1936 in Newark, NJ to Francis Sr. and Veronica (nee Grill). Frank graduated from St. Charles High School, Newark in 1954 and Seton Hall University in 1958. Frank married Roseann Brown in 1959 and moved to Bloomfield in 1960, where they raised their family.
He served proudly in the United States Army during peacetime and was honorably discharged in 1964. Frank was employed by the Equitable Life Assurance Society for 32 years. He was an active parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church. He served as president of the parish Holy Name Society, Eucharistic Minister, Usher, Lector and Chairman of the Troop 22 Boy Scouts Committee. Frank was instrumental in creating the parish free tax preparation service for senior citizens, and the parish Annual Irish Night Party . After retirement, he served as an Enrolled Agent of the IRS
Frank was very family oriented, friendly, hardworking, a great storyteller and he made everyone feel special. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, organizing ROMEO lunches, reading (especially the Brookdale ShopRite circular), watching Seton Hall Basketball and Notre Dame Football, bowling, playing cards, travel, attending Catholic retreats, watching Jeopardy!, and the Atlantic City video poker machines.
Frank is predeceased by his parents; his brother, John and his son-in-law Peter Cannone. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Roseann; sisters Marguerite Shaffery and Agnes Harbison; three children Thomas (Angela) of Arlington Heights, IL, Michael (Marianne) of Ridgewood and Barbara Cannone of Cedar Grove; his granddaughters; Mary Hanna (James) of Chicago, IL, Kathleen Helmstetter and fiancé David Voulgarakis of Palatine, IL, Theresa Cannone of Cedar Grove, Maureen Helmstetter and fiancé Tommy Muth of Mechanicsburg, PA, Allison Cannone of Cedar Grove, Maggie Helmstetter of Ridgewood, Bridget Helmstetter of Arlington Heights, IL and one great grandson William Hanna, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Wake is Monday, September 20th from 3-8pm at the Halpin-Bitecola Funeral Home,
1284 Broad Street, Bloomfield, N.J. Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, September 21st at 10am at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Bloomfield, N.J. Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Upper Montclair, N.J.
Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, in Frank’s name.
