Frank Cyktor

Frank’s birth name was Frank Witycyak and he was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on February 6th, 1927. He was one of eight children born to Steven and Catherine Witycyak. When Frank was two years old his mother unexpectedly died. His father was unable to care for Frank and his younger brother without his wife. He had no choice but to ask friends to raise his two youngest children. His dad knew that two of his friends from Ukraine, Peter and Mary Cyktor were childless and living in Elizabeth, NJ. The Cyktor’s adopted Frank. Frank Cyktor then grew up in Elizabeth and visiting the large family of “cousins” in Pennsylvania every year. It was not until he was nearing adulthood that he was told this family were actually his brothers and sisters. Frank remained close with them throughout his life. He was the last surviving member of that family.

From the time of his adoption Frank and his parents attended St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Elizabeth, NJ. Frank would remain an active parishioner attending mass regularly for the next 95 years. Frank sang in the choir in the late 1940’s and was a member of the Holy Name Society. Frank was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, Class of 1945.

In 1951 Frank and a friend heard a picnic being advertised in Metuchen, NJ. At this picnic Frank met Stephanie and by 1953 they were married and started a life together. They would be together for 69 years until Stephanie passed away in 2022. Stephanie and Frank would start a family in Elizabeth NJ before moving to Roselle in 1966 where they remained for the rest of their lives. They loved to play cards and had a lot of friends. They traveled often and were members in Roselle Active Seniors as well as the church senior citizens group. They loved the day trips with their senior groups. Frank was a past president of the Roselle Active Seniors and was still attending meetings at 97 years old. Frank had also served as an umpire in the St. Joesph’s Boys Baseball League.

Frank worked as a skilled toolmaker making fixtures and dies for manufacturing. Through his career he supervised precision machining and tool grinding as well as many other roles in the manufacturing process. Frank started his career right out of high school as an apprentice at D&D Machine and Tool Company near his home. Frank learned the trade and went at night to the Newark College of Engineering where he received a Tool Design Certificate. He then began a 37-year career at Union Carbide. At the time of his retirement from Union Carbide he was Manufacturing Planner responsible for operations of complex machine parts related to the steel industry. Frank finished his career after working ten more years as a Tool Room Supervisor at General Dynamics in Avenel, NJ. Frank had spent over 45 years in the field.

Frank is predeceased by his beloved wife Stephanie who he missed dearly.

In addition to his wife, he is also predeceased by his parents Peter and Mary Cyktor; his sisters Mary Steiger, Ana Trexler, Millie DiBlassi; His bothers George, Michael, Stanley and Peter Witycyak.

Frank is survived by his son Peter Cyktor; his daughter Mary Cavaliere and her husband Peter; his son Michael and his wife Patty; his two grandchildren Michael and Matthew Cyktor.

Visitation for Frank will be held Monday, April 28, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at KROWICKI MCCRACKEN FUNERAL HOME, 2124 East Saint Georges Ave, Linden.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a funeral on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 9:00 am from the funeral home. Funeral mass St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, 309 Grier Ave, Elizabeth 10:00 am. Interment Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia.