Obituary of Francis J. Ascone

Francis J. Ascone passed away suddenly on Monday, April 17, 2023.  He was 83 years old.  He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sara (LaFata) Ascone of Greenbriar @ Whittingham, Monroe Twp., two children, Jennifer Laurenzano and her husband Robert of Manalapan, and Frank Ascone and his wife Marjorie of Manalapan, his brother, Joseph Ascone of Union, five grandchildren, Sara, Frankie, Charles, Sadie, and Julietta, and many other extended family members and friends.

Frank was born and raised in the West Brighton neighborhood of Staten Island, NY.  Upon marriage, he spent the next 37 years in Grasmere, before relocating to Monroe Twp. in 2003. Frank was the founding Art Director for JP Morgan, retiring in 1992.  

A lifelong musician and natural entertainer, Frank welcomed any opportunity to perform. Frank was an accomplished performer on multiple instruments, particularly saxophone and piano. As a respected jazz virtuoso, his unique sound drew inspiration from jazz masters Paul Desmond and Stan Getz. Having worked with esteemed artists such as Eddy Gomez, Clark Terry, Vinnie Ruggieri and musicians from the Quincy Jones Band and Duke Ellington Band, Frank was a formidable presence in the Staten Island jazz music scene for over 5 decades. He gigged regularly at many venues, including hotels, restaurants and jazz festival performances. For 25 years Frank performed with The Keynotes, a popular Staten Island wedding band, forming enduring friendships with his bandmates and their families.

Frank was a fitness enthusiast who enjoyed playing tennis and biking. He enjoyed traveling and spending time on the beach. More than anything, Frank loved to make people laugh. His vivacious sense of humor and unpredictable antics made any event an uproarious occasion. Best described as a “larger than life” character, Frank will be fondly remembered as a heart of pure gold and the quintessential life of the party. Frank’s was a life exquisitely lived and enjoyed. We will never stop missing him.

Visitation will be from 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Thursday, April 20, 2023 and from 10:00am to 11:00am on Friday, April 21, 2023 at the M. David DeMarco Funeral Home, Inc. 205 Rhode Hall Rd. Monroe Twp., NJ 08831, 732-521-0555.  A Catholic blessing will begin at 11:00am on Friday at the funeral home.  A private cremation will follow.

For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made in Frank's name to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, OR to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org.