Michael J. "Duke" Frinzi, Jr., 76, of Pohatcong Township, died Sunday, February 12, 2006 upon arrival at Warren Hospital.

Duke graduated Phillipsburg High School in 1947 and served as president of his junior and senior classes and was active in several sports including football, wrestling and softball. He then attended Perkiomen Prep School in Pennsburg, Pa. and graduated from Gettysburg College in 1954 where he majored in Economics and minored in History and Spanish and served as president of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He also completed courses at both Lehigh University and Trenton State College.

He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.

After completing his education and returning from military service, Duke served as a life-long educator and administrator at several area schools beginning as a social studies teacher at the Greenwich Township Elementary School. He then became the administrator of the Lopatcong Township Schools and the Pohatcong Township Elementary School from 1963 until his retirement in 1989. Following his retirement, he served as interim administrator for the Oxford Township Elementary Schools and Alpha Borough Pubic School and as interim Assistant Superintendent of the Phillipsburg School District. Duke was instrumental in establishing the Accelerated Readers Program at the Alpha Public School.

Born November 25, 1929 in Phillipsburg, he was a son of the late Michael J., Sr., and Jennie Merlo Frinzi.

He was a member and daily communicant of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Alpha. He was a member of the Phillipsburg Chapter of the A.A.R.P. and served as vice president, the board of directors and was on the program committee. He was a member of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. He was a past president of the Pohatcong Playgound Association. Social memberships included the Y.M.I.A. of Phillipsburg and several other area social clubs, but he was most proud to be a founding member of the "O.F.C.".

More than his professional and social accomplishments, Duke valued the time he spent with his family and friends, including many years of trips to Canada each Memorial Day weekend, traveling across the country and beyond and perpetuating family togetherness all brought Duke great happiness.

Duke and his wife, the former June E. Bisco celebrated their fifty-third wedding anniversary June 28, 2005.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Michael J. III of Hoboken, N.J., Richard D. of Lower Mount Bethel Township and John and his wife Margo of Phillipsburg; three grandchildren, Ricky, Danielle and Samuel Frinzi.

He was pre-deceased by two brothers, Dominic M. "Mickey" Frinzi and Anthony Frinzi, a sister, Grace Carlotz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Friday in St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 850 Fifth Avenue, Alpha. Burial will be in St. Philip and St. James Cemetery, Greenwich Twp. The family will receive friends at the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main St., Phillipsburg on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 pm.

The family asks those wishing to offer an expression of sympathy to make a donation to the Michael J. Frinzi, Jr. Scholarship Fund, which will be awarded to Phillipsburg High School students who pursue teaching careers. Donations may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be submitted by visiting www.noto-wynkoop.com.