Kevin Natale, Manager of Frank's Pizza and Dedicated Volunteer, Dies

Hopatcong is mourning the loss of local businessman and community volunteer Kevin Natale.

The death of Natale, 40, manager and chief operating officer of Hopatcong's Frank's Pizza, was announced on the restaurant's Facebook page. He died last Saturday of undisclosed causes.

The 1990 graduate of Hopatcong High School, who started working with the family's pizzeria at age 13, was known for his years of service to the community at large. Locally, he and Frank's Pizza regularly did their part for charitable and civic causes.

In a 2010 Patch interview about what makes Frank's Pizza special to the borough, Natale talked about the shop's commitment to the town and to corporate responsibility.

"We support Girl Scouts, football, wrestling, various churches—anything they ask for we always give it," he said. "If there's a sick kid in town we'll start up a donation. We're here to help out as much as we can."

Most recently, Natale had taken several months off from the pizzeria to volunteer with the American Red Cross and for Habitat for Humanity, serving victims of Hurricane Katrina.

A celebration of Natale’s life takes place Friday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home in Landing. A Catholic prayer will be offered on Saturday at 9:30 am at the funeral home; mourners may gather starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday prior to the service. Interment will follow immediately afterward at at Stanhope Union Cemetery in Mt. Olive Township.

In lieu of flowers, mourners are asked to send donations to Lee Memorial Hospital, 2776 Cleveland Ave. Fort Myers, Fla. 33901.

Kevin Natale meant a great deal to Hopatcong, residents tell Patch. Please feel free to use the comments to share remembrances of Natale and his good works with your neighbors.