Francis McGurk, Jr.

Francis E. McGurk, Jr.

Frank McGurk of Bloomfield, NJ, died on Friday June 12, 2026 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. The son of Mickey and Eileen McGurk (née Cummings), Frank was born and raised in Jersey City. He was immensely proud of his Jesuit education, having graduated from St. Peter’s Prep and Fordham University. He went on to earn a master’s degree in social work from Boston College and, after graduating from Seton Hall University School of Law, began his law practice in 1985. For 23 years, he worked at Greenwich House in New York City, where he was responsible for the administration of nine distinct programs. In addition, he served as Corporate Counsel at Greenwich House until his retirement.

Frank also enjoyed teaching at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Work, where he taught courses on policy, advocacy, substance abuse, and social work and the law. In his early years as an attorney, he was especially proud of his pro bono work with the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services, assisting with adoptions.

In 1972, he married the love of his life, Kathleen. Together they raised their three children, Jennifer, Alyson, and Jason. Family was everything to Frank, and some of his happiest moments were spent vacationing together at the Jersey Shore. He especially cherished seeing his grandchildren laugh together and enjoy the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Frank’s retirement years were spent traveling with his wife to many places abroad, especially to his favorite destination, Ireland. Proud of his Irish heritage, Frank became a citizen by foreign birth of the Republic of Ireland in 1996. Never one to simply “sit still” in retirement, he also worked at Weequahic Golf Course and drove the Zamboni in the early morning hours at Floyd Arena. Driving the Zamboni brought back fond memories of the many years he coached his son Jason in hockey.

Frank also loved watching football, a sport he had enjoyed playing throughout high school. His favorite teams were the Devils, the Jets, Boston College, and Notre Dame.

Frank is survived by his loving, devoted, and cherished wife of 54 years, Kathleen Holt McGurk; his devoted children, Jennifer DesRosiers and her husband, Brian, Alyson Bavas and her husband, Jimmy, and Jason McGurk and his wife, Anne Marie; and his nine grandchildren, Liam, Fiona, and Henry DesRosiers; Michael, Aidan, and James Bavas; and Thomas, Gabriel, and Grace McGurk, each of whom brought him immense joy.

He is also survived by his sister, Colleen McGurk, and her husband, David Hall, of Bayville, NJ.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Frank’s life at St. Cassian Church, 187 Bellevue Ave, Montclair, NJ, 07043 on Saturday June 20, 2026 at 10:30am. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington, NJ, 07031.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to USA Northeast Province of the Society of Jesus, 39 East 83rd Street, New York, NY, 10028 or St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.