Frank P Colpini

Frank Paul Colpini, 98, a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Army, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 23, 2026.

Born and raised in Central City, Pennsylvania, Frank was the son of the late Antonio and Ernesta Colpini. At 18, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany as part of the occupation forces in Europe after World War II.  While there, he competed for an appointment to West Point and was selected to attend the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School. He received a congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point and in 1950 entered the class of 1954.  Frank was a natural athlete, and while at West Point, he excelled in football, lacrosse and track, earning varsity letters in all three sports. He also had a beautiful voice and sang in the Catholic Church Choir and the West Point Glee Club. He was made the Director of the Glee Club and performed several times on the Ed Sullivan Show with the Glee Club. Frank embraced the West Point Motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.” Upon graduation he was commissioned in the Air Defense Artillery and commanded a NIKE Missile Air Defense battery in Philadelphia. He completed a tour in Vietnam and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and a Bronze Star for valor for heroic actions in combat on December 8,1964. The citation stated that while under attack by an unknow number of Viet Cong, Frank "moved forward under enemy fire to determine the exact location of the hostile forces. He then returned to the relief force and advised them to withdraw a few hundred yards while he remained behind to direct an airstrike on the enemy." 

Upon returning from Vietnam, he was stationed at Rutgers University as an assistant professor of military science. Frank was an excellent marksman and coached the rifle team and also volunteered as an assistant coach for the Rutgers lacrosse team. Frank also completed his master's degree in education from Boston University. Frank proudly served his country for 27 years, retiring in 1975 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His distinguished military career took him to various assignments around the world, culminating in his final five years stationed in Naples, Italy. 

Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, Frank settled in Hillsborough, New Jersey, where he completed his master's degree in urban and city planning from Rutgers University. He then began a second career as an Urban Planner with Franklin Township.  Several of his projects involved conserving green space. He was a longtime communicant of St. Joseph’s Parish in Hillsborough and remained deeply connected to his faith and community.

Frank was a man of many passions. He loved to travel, spoke five languages, cherished time spent with his family and friends, and was known for his generosity and captivating storytelling. He maintained his physical fitness and did 100 push-ups every day until just recently. He loved working in the garden, cooking, Old Westerns, playing the stock market and watching the news. He loved to have a good laugh. Guided by a spirit to give back to the community, he founded two scholarship funds: the Shade Township Class of 1946 Scholarship Fund, supporting college education, and the Teresa Colpini Memorial Fund for Nursing. 

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Teresa Dailey Colpini, in 1997, as well as his sisters, Anna DeMartin and Rose Vecellio.

Frank is survived by his loving children: Anthony W. Colpini and his wife Paige of Carrollton, Georgia; Paula K. Knudson and her husband William of Bel Air, Maryland; and Jana M. Colpini and her husband, David Lesneski, of Somerset, New Jersey. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, A. Tyler Colpini (Lilla), Austin P. Colpini (Magan), and Caroline P. Colpini; and his great-grandchildren, William, Lolly, Dailey, Guy, Doris, and Warren.

Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Bridgewater Funeral Home, 707 East Main Street, Bridgewater, New Jersey. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Church in Hillsborough. A full military funeral and burial at West Point Cemetery in West Point, New York will be announced at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shade Township Class of 1946 Scholarship Fund (https://www.cfalleghenies.org/fund/shade-township-class-of-1946-scholarship-fund/), the Teresa Colpini Memorial Fund for Nursing, c/o St. Joseph Parish, 34 Yorktown Rd., Hillsborough  NJ 08844, or a charity of one’s choice.

Frank will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his distinguished service to his country, and the lasting impact of his kindness and generosity.

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