Frank J. Mazzarella M.D.

Dr. Frank J. Mazzarella died peacefully at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ on September 7th, 2023 surrounded by his loving family after a courageous three month battle overcoming the effects of a debilitating stroke. 

Born in Newark, Frank lived in South Orange for most of his life before moving recently to Highlands, NJ. After graduating from Seton Hall Preparatory School in South Orange, and receiving his bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Rutgers Newark as a member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society, Frank attended medical school first at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara. He graduated from the College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey with his MD in 1979. He served an internship and later as chief resident at Overlook Hospital for his post-graduate work before ultimately going into Internal Medicine private practice in Nutley, NJ. A beloved practitioner with an exceptional bedside manner, Dr. Mazzarella’s patients adored him and numbered in the tens of thousands over the years.

In 2002 Dr. Mazzarella shifted to an executive role as the Chief Medical Officer of Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, NJ. Holding multiple titles over the years, including Vice President of Medical Affairs and most recently Chief Continuum of Care Officer, Dr. Mazzarella worked tirelessly with his team to oversee the successful transfer of patients to services needed throughout the continuum of care. During the COVID-19 pandemic he oversaw patient transfers across the state and with the USS Comfort to allow for additional patient admissions at Clara Maass. Dr. Mazzarella was a proud, longtime member of the RWJ Barnabas family and a cherished colleague. He was most recently honored by the Essex County Board of County Commissioners at an event to honor the accomplishments of outstanding Essex County men and women of Italian heritage. 

Frank was fiercely committed to his family and deeply devoted to his late wife, Carla Mazzarella (nee Reznak) who he met at a high school dance in 1969, married in 1979 and together raised two children, Steph Mazzarella and Jerry Mazzarella. He lovingly welcomed Steph’s wife, Amanda, and was a devoted Poppop to their children, Claudia and Meredith. Frank’s love and generosity did not end with his immediate family, rather, he treated everyone fortunate enough to have him in his life as family.

Frank was predeceased by his parents, Jerry and Rozlyn Mazzarella (nee Addonizio). In addition to his children he is survived by his sisters Francine Galante and her husband Victor and their children Victor (Krystal) and their son Victor III, Dina Meklinsky (Jason) and Cara (Andrew Villa) and Diane Orangeo and her husband Robert and their children Tara (Leonardo Di Stasio) and Robert; as well as his Addonizio, DeSacia and Appollina cousins and countless friends. Frank was everyone’s Superman and truly had a wonderful life, he was happiest when surrounded by his family and friends, be it singing show tunes or telling stories. He will be tremendously missed.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Frank at the Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Ave. Union on Tuesday September 12 from 4-7 PM, and on Wednesday September 13 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church in Maplewood on Thursday at 10:30 AM. Entombment will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park.