FRANK T. NUGENT, 94, of Northfield, passed away this past Wednesday morning, surrounded and comforted by his family. Frank Nugent left a fulfilling ninety-four year life and entered a life of eternity. The son of a carpenter, Frank became the senior of seven siblings after their oldest brother died at a young age in a tragic accident. Frank came of age during the Depression and World War II. His experiences during those trying and often bleak years forged the character traits and principles by which he led his life: self-reliance, fierce determination, devotion to family, loyalty to friends, and an unwavering belief that no goal was impossible.

The Depression and the war years also brought Frank into contact with an unending parade of characters befitting a Mark Twain novel, each with a homespun philosophy of love, life, and the human condition. From them and from his father’s love of wit and verse, Frank developed a compassion for people, a wonderful sense of humor, and an appreciation for the literary arts, particularly the poetry of Robert Service.

Frank graduated from Pleasantville High School at age sixteen in 1938. He enlisted in the Navy in the summer of 1942 and became a radioman and tail gunner on a TBM Avenger torpedo bomber. Severely injured in January 1944 when his plane was shot down in the Pacific Ocean, he returned to the United States for a lengthy period of recuperation and was honorably discharged. He attended Villanova University, graduated with a civil engineering degree, and in 1948 experienced what he would often describe as his life’s luckiest moment next to surviving combat -- marrying another Pleasantville High School Graduate, Eileen Mitchell.

Their marriage flourished for sixty-two years until Eileen’s 2010 death. Frank cherished Eileen, never hesitating to say she was the heart of their family, a devoted wife and mother of seven children, whose strength, selflessness, and love enabled him to succeed as both a father and a businessman.

First employed by Massett Building Company as a superintendent, Frank eventually became its President and owner. During Frank’s business career, Massett built many well-known buildings throughout Atlantic County and the South Jersey area, including the Prudential (now Cornerstone) building in Linwood.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Jane; his wife Eileen; his son, James; his brothers, "Junior," Jack, Charles, and Robert; his sister, Janet Jackson; and his grandchildren, Kevin and Erin. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by his sisters, Norma Johnson and Florence (John) Morello; his children, Thomas (Dolores), William (Kathleen), Carol Harris (Timothy), Michael, Richard (Patricia), and Janet Novey (Michael); twelve grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Monday, July 25, 2016 from 5-9pm with a tribute service at 8pm at Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, 1650 New Road in Northfield.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 11am at St. Gianna Beretta Molla Parish, 1421 New Road in Northfield.

Interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Mays Landing.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Frank and Eileen Nugent Charitable Foundation, in care of: Steve Powers, at Fabietti, Hale, Hammerstedt & Powers, 3122 Fire Road, Suite 101, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey 08234.

Arrangements entrusted to and condolences may be sent to the family at www.adams-perfect.com