Obituary of Francis D. Lemos
South Plainfield – Francis D. Lemos, 89, passed away suddenly Thursday evening after a brief illness, July 27, 2023 in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, Somerville.
Born and raised in Plainfield, Frank was a graduate of Plainfield High School. He was drafted into the United States Army during the end of the Korean War and when he returned, he worked alongside his father in the woodworking business, Jersey Window & Mill Work also located in Plainfield. After retirement, Frank worked part time at the Home Depot in South Plainfield where he enjoyed sharing the knowledge of his lifelong craft while interacting with the customers.
Frank, a Civil War buff, enjoyed taking his family every summer camping to visit most of the battlefields & historic places located in PA, NY, Washington, DC, and VA. He later joined & became an active member of the 11th New Jersey Volunteers Infantry Regiment Club. Donning full authentic Civil War attire & making his own musket bullets, he would head to VA in the hot summer to participate in weekend long shooting events. He was also a passionate member of the South Plainfield Republicans Organization, where he spent countless hours supporting his community candidates wherever he was needed. He was also active on many boards including the South Plainfield Zoning Board & the Library Board, as well as the American Legion and former Scotch Plains Elks, serving as past Exalted Ruler.
He loved the time spent camping with his family, especially later in life with his grandchildren, taking them to VT, MA, NH, and Williamsburg VA. He also enjoyed family vacations to the Outer Banks, Disney, and Wildwood. He also took the time to travel with his beloved wife, Laura, going to Branson MO, St Martin, and Hawaii. After the Hawaiian trip, a Mai Tai became the signature drink for many years at the family/friend NYE parties! Frank & Laura also enjoyed several cruises, the most memorable one being Alaska, which they talked about for years as being the best trip ever. One of their favorite places to enjoy together was the South Plainfield Senior Center. They made so many wonderful friends and kept very busy with weekly events. They enjoyed all the wonderful trips & memories which they proudly talked about & display in photo albums.
Predeceased by his parents, Antonio & Margaret (Szabo) Lemos, siblings, Dolores Lemos and Anthony Lemos; surviving are his wife of 60 years, Laura (Hopka) Lemos; two children, Sharon Scalera and husband Thomas of South Plainfield, Christopher Lemos and wife Cheryl of NH, a sister, Mary Jane Tozzi of Fla, as well as his three cherished grandchildren, Dominick, Nicholas and Jemma.
Family and friends may gather in the funeral home on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 from 5-7PM in the McCriskin – Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue South Plainfield NJ 07080. Funeral services will begin at 7PM.