Friscia, Leonard T., Age: 85, Rumson

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Leonard T. Friscia passed away at his home in Tinton Falls on Jan. 24 at the age of 85. Len was born and raised in Rumson where he attended Holy Cross School and Rumson High School and raised his family with his wife, Eva, of 59 years.

As a young man he served his country as a sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division in the United States Army. He worked for the Rumson Post Office for 32 years and then the Garden State Parkway, retiring in 2002. He was well respected in his community where he served as a fireman with the Oceanic Hook & Ladder Company, as chief in 1981, and for the Rumson First Aid where he also served as captain. In 1986, he moved his family to Tinton Falls.

He was a celebrated and self-taught decoy duck carver, winning many ribbons for his working decoys. Woodworking runs in his family. His father, Frank Friscia, made furniture for many years, operating out of the old Red Man’s Hall on Church Street in Rumson where Len worked in the shop as a boy. He also established an impressive collection of Jersey decoys, including hundreds of historical and contemporary birds by well-known New Jersey carvers, many of which were proudly displayed in his “duck office” on view from his well-worn easy chair.

Len is predeceased by his wife, Eva; his parents, Louise and Frank Friscia; his brothers, Frank and Thomas Friscia; and sisters Grace Kelly, Mary Cuje, Louise Friscia, and Jeanne Cuje. He leaves behind his four children, Thomas Friscia, Karen Zoback Friscia, Jeanne Friscia and Michael Friscia; grandchildren, Mitchell Snyder, Michele Barrie and Kyle Mosher; and great-grandchildren Kara and Julie Snyder and Elias and Fraya Barrie.

He will be remembered for his sense of humor, creativity, generosity, unwavering devotion to his family and his encyclopedic knowledge of the history of Rumson and the community. On any given day, you could find Dad taking meticulous care of his yard and house or working in his shop on another award-winning decoy.

Visitation and service were held at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, on Jan. 28.