Frank C. Zisa, mayor, businessman, dies at 91Friday, June 10, 2011
BY JAY LEVIN
STAFF WRITER
The Record
Frank C. Zisa of Hackensack, who served 16 years on the City Council and was mayor from 1977 to 1981, died Wednesday. The lifelong city resident was 91.
ZISA A son of Italian immigrants, Mr. Zisa founded the Zisa Insurance Agency in 1946, after his World War II Army service, which included 26 months as a prisoner of the Germans. He set up shop in the same office space as his brother Joseph, a lawyer.
"My father and Uncle Joe became active in town, both in community service and then in the political arena," said Mr. Zisa's son, John "Jack" Zisa, also a former Hackensack mayor. Mr. Zisa was a charter member of the Hackensack chapter of UNICO, the Italian-American service organization.
Jack Zisa, owner of Zisa Insurance Agency, said he and his brothers — Hackensack Police Chief Charles "Ken" Zisa and recently retired Hackensack Deputy Police Chief Frank Zisa Jr. — learned from their father the importance of "living and working and being part of a community, and serving your community."
Mr. Zisa was elected to the City Council in 1969. He was deputy mayor for eight years, in addition to four years as mayor.
As a public official, Mr. Zisa helped set in motion the redevelopment of downtown Hackensack near the Bergen County Courthouse. He was defeated for reelection in 1985 and retired from his insurance agency in 1986.
Kazmier Wysocki, another former mayor who served on the council with Mr. Zisa, described his friend since childhood as a low-key official adept at collaboration. "He wasn't trying to be a hero by himself," said Wysocki, also Mr. Zisa's neighbor. "Frank worked with the people."
Frank C. Zisa was one of five children of Charles Zisa, a Hackensack Water Co. foreman, and Mary Zisa, a homemaker. He graduated from Hackensack High School in 1937 and was in his second year of law studies at Dana College in Newark when he was drafted. The Bergen Evening Record reported that he was captured by the Germans on Feb. 17, 1943.
Mr. Zisa received seven military medals, including the Bronze Medal for meritorious combat service, which was presented by Rep. Steve Rothman, D-Fair Lawn, in 2005.
In addition to his sons, Mr. Zisa is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jean; a brother, John, and three grandchildren.
Visiting will be Monday from 4 to 9 p.m. at G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, Hackensack. The funeral Mass will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi R.C. Church, followed by burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, both in Hackensack.
E-mail: levin@northjersey.com
