Franklin F. Benz Jr., affectionately known as Buddy, son of Frank F. Benz Sr. and Erna Benz, passed away peacefully at his home in Closter, NJ, on the age of 89. Frank was born in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1934 and later move to New York where he attended high school in the Bronx.

Frank enlisted in the US Army during the Korean War where he served in the Army Corp of Engineers and achieved the rank of Sargent. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, Frank moved to Closter, New Jersey, married Ruth Nelson, and enjoyed a successful career as owner and president of Colonial Boiler Service,INC. He then began his life long career of civic volunteer duty. Joining the Closter Knickerbocker Hook and Ladder Fire Department and the Closter Volunteer Ambulance Service, he would serve faithfully and consistently for 64 years. Frank was Captain of the Closter Ambulance Service in 1964 -1965 and Closter Fire Chief in 1977-1978. He continued to remain active in both departments & up to a few months of his passing. For 60 plus years, Frank was also active in many volunteer organizations. He served unselfishly and proudly as a Mason, Shriner, and a Closter Lion. He was a member of the American Legion and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon and in 2019, Buddy served as Grand Marshal of Closter's American Legion celebration. Frank also served as an active member with the Block Island Fire Department and FirstAid.

Several years after Frank and Ruth separated, he met the love of his life, Heidi. Frank and Heidi married in 1975 and enjoyed 49 years of marriage until Heidi's passing in July 2023. Frank, Heidi, and her two sons would enjoy many years together at their beautiful home in Closter. They had fun boating to Block Island, traveling Europe, and skiing throughout the United States. In addition to his love of hunting, fishing, and boating, Frank would become an avid and seasoned skier at the age of 50. He would always be willing to offer novice skiers helpful hints and techniques to improve their skiing ability.

Frank and Heidi loved having their four grandchildren at the house for swimming, baking cookies, and enjoying Oma' s (Heidi's) delicious German food while Opi (Frank) would grill the best burgers and hot dogs. Many summer weekends were enjoyed at their home swimming and playing with their grandchildren, nieces and nephew.

Frank is survived by his sister Kathryn Dahle, the wife of deceased William Dahle Jr, his nephew William Dahle Ill and his wife Sylvana and their children Laureen and Will, his niece Kathryn Palmer and her husband Michael and their children Briana and Elyse, his niece Patty Dahle and her daughter Presly, his stepson Dimitri and his children Ariana and Jason, and his stepson Paul and his wife Laurie and their children Taylor and Nicholas.

Memorial service will be at the Closter Fire Department in Closter, NJ on October 11, 2023, 4-8pm and the burial will be on October 14, 2023 at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

In Lieu of flowers please make donations to the Closter Fire Department or the Closter Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Corps.