Mildred Frangella

Mildred (Carmela) DiLieto Frangella passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on February 19, 2023. She was predeceased by her devoted husband James A. Frangella Sr.; baby John; parents Louis and Matilda DiLieto, Rose DiLieto, John DiLieto and brother in law Ralph Williams. 

Mildred was born in Asbury Park, NJ and the first of 10 children. She was raised in an Italian Catholic household and family was everything. At age 12 she worked on the Asbury Park boardwalk selling chocolates. At 17, she worked at the family restaurant Posilipo's in Asbury Park. She had also worked in the Payroll Department at Ft. Monmouth.

She met her loving husband James when her father purchased their first TV, at Eatontown TV and Appliance, which was owned by James. Jimmy would visit her family home often to check up on the TV and fell in love with Mildred. As an engagement gift, Jimmy bought her a horse named Ginger and he had a horse named Brownie. The two of them would ride together all the time. They had a big beautiful wedding with family and friends.  

They resided in Eatontown and raised four beautiful children. Mildred was a loving, caring and devoted mother. She was an excellent cook, and everything was homemade. Her specialties were marinara sauce, manicotti, rice balls, and meatballs. She also took time to prepare seasonal items to place in her 4 chest freezers. Mildred loved to host gatherings with her family, friends and always had her door opened for anyone that had no place to go for the holidays. Her generosity and kindness were one of her greatest gifts. Mildred a parishioner of St. Dorothea's Church and also the founder of the Monthly Dance; the proceeds were donated to the Church for 30 years. She was also an active member of the Eatontown Woman's Club. At the age of 59, Mildred survived Pancreatic Cancer, thanks to Sloan Kettering and Dr. Michael Paglia.  

Mildred and her husband also owned and ran a family restaurant, Dutch Treat. Dutch Treat was the place to go for a great meal. On Saturdays, Mildred would love to go to Eatontown TV and answer the phones, sell and enjoy talking to the customers. Mildred had the gift to gab, and loved going to her daughter and son-in-law’s restaurant, Rigoletto's, to hostess and chat with the customers. She always dressed beautifully and all the customers loved her.

She is survived by her children Eileen Cooper and husband Richard, James A. Frangella Jr., Theresa Casper, and Maria Frangella-Cicillini and her husband John; her grandchildren, TJ and Michael Casper, Chelsea Cooper, James, Karina and Ciro Frangella; her siblings, Theresa and Virginia DiLieto, Vera Ciavaglia and her husband Jim, Louis R. DiLieto, Sam DiLieto and wife Valerie, Eleanor Williams, Eileen Czepizak and her husband Walter and many nieces and nephews. Mildred also had two companion cats she loved, Baby and Princy. They were by her side until she passed and gave her so much comfort.  

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 4 -8 pm at the Damiano Funeral Home in Long Branch. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 10 am at St. Dorothea’s Church in Eatontown. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Maria Frangella Foundation for Colon Cancer Research - checks payable to: MFFFCCR - c/o Damiano Funeral Home, P.O. Box 567, Long Branch, NJ 07740; place in subject line - Loving Memory of Mildred Frangella. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.

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