OCTOBER 4, 1926 – DECEMBER 16, 2020
Frank J. Tencza of Longmont, CO passed away on December 16, 2020. He was 94 years old.
Frank was born in Wallington, NJ, attended local schools there and graduated from Lodi High School, class of 1944. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the Army Air Corps, in the Asiatic/Pacific theater. After being honorably discharged in 1946, he attended Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ and later obtained Professional Engineering licenses in New Jersey and Maryland.
Most of his engineering career, spanning over fifty years, was in engineering management positions, including Chief Engineer and Manager of Operations of the Los Angeles, New York and Totowa, NJ offices of Robins Engineers and Constructors, Manager of Projects for Stone and Webster Petrochemical Division in New York, Vice-President, Operations for Soros Associates, New York, and Manager, Projects Cost Control for Sverdrup Corporation, New York.
Frank was a lifelong member of Local 248, American Federation of Musicians and for many years, a clarinetist with local Polish-American dance bands, including Fred Percy and Andy Materna Orchestras. In the late 40’s and early 50’s he was featured tenor sax soloist with several local “big bands,” including the George Ross and Duke Edwards Orchestras.
Frank also held a commercial pilot’s license and was an FAA Certified Flight Instructor. He instructed and recommended for licensing dozens of students in the 60’s and 70’s at Morristown Municipal, Essex County and other airports in North Jersey.
Franks was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Theresa (Guzio), brothers Bruno and Thomas Tencza of Wallington, and sister Stella. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa and her husband Jeff Collins, his granddaughters Cailin Collins (Heiko Yang) and Merrin Mullins (Michael Mullins), and 2 great-grandsons, Calvin Yang and Mason Mullins.
