Frank Poleski, Jr.

Frank Poleski, Jr., 74, of Allegheny Township, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2022, in his home. Born on August 14, 1947, in Harrison Township, he was the son of the late Frank Poleski, Sr., and Jennie (Szost) Poleski of East Vandergrift. A 1965 graduate of Kiski Area Senior High School, he was a member of the undefeated Cavaliers football team, Champions of the 1964 Foothills Conference. He went on to play football and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

From 1969-1971, Mr. Poleski served in the United States Army Signal Corps and was stationed at Highlands Army Defense Site in Highlands, NJ.

After leaving the Army, Mr. Poleski remained in New Jersey to pursue a career in education, earning a master’s degree in school administration from Monmouth College, West Long Branch, NJ. For 36 years he dedicated his career to Catholic secondary schools in the Diocese of Trenton and Archdiocese of Newark. He started his career as a social studies teacher and football and wrestling coach at Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, NJ, in 1971. He then became Assistant Principal at RBC in 1975. In 1980, Mr. Poleski became Assistant Principal and Business Administrator at Union Catholic Regional High School, Scotch Plains, NJ. Having been very successful at Union Catholic, he was named Principal of Mater Dei High School, Middletown, NJ, in 1989. He was recognized by the Diocese of Trenton for Outstanding Leadership in Catholic Education in May 2003. After 18 years at Mater Dei, he retired in 2007.

When not involved in educational activities, he could be found coaching his son Matt’s soccer teams. He was a soccer coach for both the Bayshore Youth Athletic Association and St. Mary’s Athletic Association Travel Teams as well as a soccer coach for St. Mary’s School, Middletown, NJ.

Mr. Poleski is a member of St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church in Vandergrift.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bonita (Naccarato) Poleski; son, Matthew Poleski, of Ringoes, NJ; four grandchildren, Kaitlyn Poleski, Brayden Poleski, Taylor Poleski, and Madison Poleski, all of Ringoes, NJ; brother, John (Laura) Poleski, of Allegheny Township; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Vincent (Jim McGarrah) Naccarato of Avon, CT; Louis (Mary Lee) Naccarato of Leesburg, FL; Deanne (Randy) Kuruc of Lower Burrell; and many nephews and nieces.

At his request, there will be no public viewing. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated with Reverend Michael Sciberras at St. Gertrude Church on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. At the conclusion of the Mass, military honors will be accorded by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard. Private burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell, PA.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brady-Curran Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Vandergrift, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205