Frank P. Navarro

Frank P. Navarro, Sgt. Maj., U.S.M.C., Ret., a first generation American, departed this life on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.

Frank was born on 18 April, 1928, in New York City to Frank and Rose Navarro. Frank moved to Flemington as a teenager, and graduated from Flemington High School in 1948 where he excelled in sports. He married his high school sweetheart, Doris Denson, who predeceased him.

Frank proudly served for more than 30 years in the Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Sergeant Major. While in the Marine Corps, Frank saw much action, including tours in both Korea, and later Vietnam, having been deployed there three times. Among his various assignments in the Marine Corps, he particularly enjoyed his time spent as a drill instructor at Parris Island. Frank’s 30 years of service in the Marine Corps required much sacrifice and separation from his family, but he was most happy when he was at home. Frank settled in Brick, N.J., and lived on the water where he enjoyed boating and fishing.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, he worked for the State Gaming Commission in Atlantic City as an inspector. Frank was a Renaissance man of sorts with many interests and talents. He enjoyed cooking a variety of foods with his wife, Doris; fishing; crabbing; shrimping; clamming; gardening; woodworking; knitting his own shrimp nets; needlepointing; caning chairs; growing oysters; working out at the gym; and tinkering in the garage. Much to the consternation of his children, he bought and drove a Corvette when he was 85 years old. After his children were all grown and Doris had passed away, Frank moved to Reedville, Virginia where he lived on the Chesapeake Bay for many years. While in Reedville, he served as the Post Commander of the American Legion, serving veterans such as the Wounded Warriors.

Frank is survived by five children, eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild who are as follows: a son, Jeff Navarro and wife, Cindy, along with their sons, Gabriel and Ethan; a son, Dr. Frank Navarro and Roxanne Valasa, along with Frank’s daughter, Jennifer, and son, Andrew and wife, Lauren, and their child, Max; a daughter, Toni Johnson and her husband, David; a daughter, Sandy Foust and her husband, Mark, and their children, a son, Nick and his wife, Melina, and a son, Christopher; and a daughter, Christy Miick, and her 2 sons, Tanner and Cooper.

Frank had a long and interesting life. He was a devoted son, a loving husband, and a proud father, grandfather and great grandfather. Frank lived his life with no regrets, and with an eye to achievable adventure. We, Frank’s children, grandchildren, and great grandchild, can draw many life lessons from how Frank lived his life. Among those lessons are: always put your family first before all other things; never be afraid of change; adapt to your circumstances; and try to live life to the fullest.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 5, 2021, at 1:00 PM in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Flemington, NJ. Calling hours will be held Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Gift Processing Administrator,18251 Quantico Gateway Drive Triangle, VA 22172.