Obituary of Michael G Franko

Michael G. Franko, age 80, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2014 at Overlook Hospital in Summit. Mike was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary. He served as a Freedom Fighter and after three times of being imprisoned at concentration camps, he escaped to the United States in 1956, arriving on January 1, 1957. Mr. Franko worked his way up in the NJ American Water Works System in Short Hills, starting as a ditch digger and retiring in 1998 as an Executive. While working full time, he earned his Bachelor's Degree from Fairleigh Dickenson University in 4 years. He was a member of the Plainfield/North Plainfield Old Guard, was an active member of the Bernardsville Rotary and was the Treasurer and Vice President of the North Plainfield German Club. He served as Scout Master for Troop 19 in North Plainfield. Michael loved cooking, dancing and listening to big band music and playing cards. He enjoyed spending time at their home in Vermont and taking road trips around the United States. The most important thing to him was spending time with his family and friends and anyone who knew him has a special story about the times they have spent with him. He was very patriotic and was very proud to be an American. He is predeceased by his son, Michael Madden. Surviving are his beloved wife, Inez Franko; his children; John Madden and wife, Barbara, Suzanne Madden-Jones and husband, Anthony and Cyndi Gave and husband, John; his brother, John Franko and sister, Suzanne Franko; his grandchildren; Lauren, Allison, Kaitlyn, Kyle, John, Jeremy, Elianna and Marissa. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation Of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 9 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung. Funeral services will begin on Tuesday, June 10 at 9:00 a.m. at the Funeral Home followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Resurrection at St. Joseph's Church, North Plainfield. Cremation is private and the Interment of cremated remains will take place on Wednesday, June 11 at 10:00 a.m. at Resurrection Cemetery, Piscataway.