Obituary of Francis Joseph Conklin

Francis Joseph Conklin, Sr., beloved patriarch of the Conklin family of Boonton Township, NJ, passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, October 19, 2025. He was 93 years old.

Born in May 1932, to John J. and Mary T. (nee Connelly) Conklin in South Amboy, NJ, Francis (Frank) grew up in Colts Neck, NJ.  He graduated from St. Benedict’s Prep High School in Newark in 1951, and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in philosophy and sociology from Notre Dame University. While in college, he was accepted into the NROTC and commissioned as a Navy officer upon graduation in 1955. Frank proudly served his country on the heavy cruiser the USS Bremerton.

In July of 1957, Frank left the Navy and joined St. Joseph’s Abbey, a Trappist Monastery in Spencer, Massachusetts. He spent six months at the monastery before learning he did not have a vocation. Despite this, he brought the experience with him for the rest of his life.

In 1958, Frank found a job with the textile company Deering Milliken in New York City. After being sent to Spartanburg, South Carolina for training at the company’s mill sites, he met his wife Daniele, who was there from Paris on a Fulbright Scholarship to teach French for a year. After a whirlwind courtship, Frank and Daniele married a year later on June 13, 1959.

After his marriage, Frank joined the family firm, Conklin-Cahill on the New York Stock Exchange, where he worked for 30 years as a specialist until his retirement in 1989.

From that point on, Frank’s life centered around his love for his family and his faith. He left a beautiful legacy of ten children and their spouses, fifty-two grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. He was known by all for his generosity and kindness, but most of all for his devotion to his Catholic faith, especially to Our Lady and the Blessed Sacrament, which left a lasting impact on all who came in contact with him.

Frank was predeceased by his siblings, John J. Conklin, Jr., Mary Therese Colando and Anne Benson; and his son-in-law, Joseph Rasmusson; Francis is survived by his loving wife, Daniele (nee Victor); his children, Pascale Traylor (Allan), Bernadette Rasmusson (Peter), Dominique Rasmusson, Francis J. Conklin, Jr. (Teresa), Paul Conklin (Jessica), Patrick Conklin, Daniele Holmes (Robert), Michael Conklin (Coleen), Peter Conklin (Cheryl) and Christopher Conklin (Maria). He is also survived by his 52 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Please join the family on Thursday, October 23rd from 2:00 – 4:00pm and 6:00 – 8:00pm at Norman Dean Funeral Home of Denville for the wake followed by the praying of the Rosary. A Traditional Latin Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 24th at 11:00am in St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 130 Gould Ave, North Caldwell. Francis will be laid to rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover following Mass.

Arrangements were made by Codey & Mackey Funeral Home of Boonton. To share condolences or memories with the family, please visit CodeyMackeyFH.com.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to LIFENET Inc. or pray the Rosary for the repose of Frank’s soul and the holy souls in purgatory.