Remembering Plainfield's Best: Frank D'Aversa, 1934-2020

I am so very sad to have to pass along the news of the death of Frank D'Aversa. My heart goes out to Liz, his beloved wife of 49 years, and to his extended family. This is a great loss to our city and to all those who loved Frank. I will greatly miss him—his friendship, his caring, and his concern for our city. May he rest in peace. 

As Liz notes, she “…hopes that we will achieve a safer new normal in 2021 and that travel will be easier so that friends and relatives can gather to remember and celebrate the life and death of a good man.” Please read her complete remembrance below.

One of the things that Frank was extremely proud of was his military service during the Cold War era. If you click on the YouTube link below, you can watch as Frank shares his stories of that time. 

Remembering Francis (Frank) D’Aversa

            Francis (Frank) D’Aversa died Sunday morning, August 2nd, at Haven Hospice in JFK Medical Center. Frank, born March 14, 1934, was the son of Rosalino and Jennie D’Aversa, Sicilian immigrants. Jennie was one of five sisters. Frank and his younger brothers, Salvatore and Leonard, were raised with a multitude of cousins who were more like brothers and sisters. Frank served with the United States Army in occupied Germany during the Cold War (see his YouTube video: Frank D’Aversa; War Stories—and “like” it). He graduated from New York University thanks to his G.I. benefits.

            Frank joined the New York City Department of Social Services in August of 1965 as a caseworker and met Elizabeth (Liz) Wake at his first training session. He and Liz were married on a hillside near Warwick, NY in June of 1971, thus adding to his cousins by blood and the heart. Frank and Liz purchased a cottage next to the Green Brook in Plainfield, NJ during a massive flood. They were not discouraged, as the serenity of the setting provided a balance to the chaos at work, as they served a clientele made up of individuals struggling with homelessness, addiction, and the prison population, not to mention the challenging bureaucracy.

            Frank believed in active citizen participation in democracy. He participated. He was an involved union member (SSEU and DC 37). He credited the G.I. benefits for his education and strongly believed in the advocacy of unions for the creation of a middle class. Frank was one of the original New Democrats for Plainfield and a vocal member and claimant to the privilege of the floor as a member of the Plainfield Democratic City Committee and the Union County Democratic Committee from 2003-2019. As a believer in civic responsibility, he also served as a member of the Green Brook Flood Commission and the Plainfield Citizens Budget Committee during the 1990s.

            Frank was a voracious reader, a connoisseur of fine bourbon, a lover of wolves, a wearer of many seasonal hats, a world traveler, a student of politics, and a true friend and neighbor. He was content with a glass of Wofford, a Spencer novel, and a purring cat on his lap. Frank approached his cancer diagnosis as he approached everything—firm in his belief that hard and honest work would result in a good end. He was positive that he would walk home.

            Frank is remembered by Liz, his wife of 49 years, a niece, Munia, a nephew, Mike (Diana), and his numerous loving family members. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Plainfield Symphony, the Plainfield Public Library, and Defenders of Wildlife. Liz hopes that we will achieve a safer new normal in 2021 and that travel will be easier so that friends and relatives can gather to remember and celebrate the life and death of a good man.