Frank Szantai

Frank Michael Szantai of Manahawkin, NJ, age 82, died peacefully at home on August 18, 2022, after leading a full and joyful life.

Frank was born in 1939 to John and Julia (Borbely) Szantai and raised in Trenton, NJ.  He attended Trenton Central High School, graduating in 1957.

Frank was predeceased by his first wife, Teresa, after 25 years of marriage.  With Frank, Teresa led a full and happy life.  They raised two children, Jacqueline and Lynne Ann.

Frank is survived by his current wife Lynne Wills Szantai, his wife of 18 years, his children Jacqueline married to Randy Smith and Lynne married to Kevin Everett.  Frank’s pride and joy were his grandchildren.  Jacqueline’s children Brendan Smith and Victoria Smith.  Lynne’s son Kyle Smith married to Victoria (Quiroga) Smith.

Frank will be dearly missed by all his loving nieces, nephews, sister’s-in-law, and brother’s-in-law.  He had many friends, neighbors and work colleagues who could tell stories for hours about him and his adventures.

Frank led a multifaceted life and was fully dedicated to serving his country.  His accomplishments began with obtaining an A.S. in Applied Sciences from Trenton Junior College; a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering (’63) from the University of Colorado and was commissioned in the U.S. Navy.  He also obtained a B.S. in Engineering Electronics (’67) from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering (’83) from Fairleigh-Dickinson University.

During his 9 years of military service during the Viet-Nam war-era, he served on the USS Stribling (DD-867) as the Electronics Maintenance & Electronic Warfare Officer, the USS John King (DDG-3) as the Combat Information Center, as the Navigator & Operations Officer, as well as attending the Naval Postgraduate School, with his final duty station as a Commander East Sea Frontier staff duty officer.  His more notable achievements while serving were as the Principal Air Intercept and ASW Controller for helicopters and fixed wing aircraft in all facets of surface warfare and was a Fleet Qualified Officer of the Deck on each ship he served on.

After his discharge in June 1972, he began another career with the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research and Development Command as a GS-11 Electronics Engineer.  He retired in January 1995 as a GM-15 Supervisory Electronics Engineer after the death of his wife Teresa.

During his time working for the Army, he worked on many Research, Development Test and Engineering projects as well as production programs each of increasing complexity, and for several Project & Product Managers, Procurement Executive officers, The National Security Agency and the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence.  His expertise in system analysis/synthesis was called on in the critical areas of Electronic Warfare, Signals Intelligence, UAV & fixed wing platform/systems integration, electronic intelligence, system modeling and simulation and supporting the Iran & Afghanistan war efforts in the field of Counter IED Systems development and production.  He was awarded the Electronic Warfare Laboratory’s Samuel Stiber Award for Technical Excellence, general officer commendations and the Army’s Distinguished Civilian Service Medal at his retirement ceremony.

After retirement, Frank was recruited and worked for the following companies: (BAE) Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, Kostek Inc. and Maculay Brown providing the knowledge, skill and ability supporting the Army’s Procurement Executive for Intelligence and Electronic Warfare and his subordinate Project Managers in all aspects and phases of systems development and material acquisition.  Frank was a Gold Life Member of the US Naval Institute with over 50 years of membership.

Frank’s favorite bible passages are in Ecclesiastes “…there is a time and place for everything”.  Frank finally listened to that advice and retired in 2015 at the age of 75 with over 50 years of Government service as a defense contractor/consultant to be with his wife, family and friends and to enjoy life far too long neglected at times. Frank loved boating, fishing, reading, renovations, and woodworking.

Viewing will be held on Sunday, August 28, 2022, from 5pm to 8pm at Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home 573 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050.  Graveside services will be on Monday, August 29, 2022, 10:30am at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery 400 Woolsey St. Hamilton Township, NJ 08610.

In lieu of flowers: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 200 Vesey St., 28th floor, New York, N.Y. 10281.