Frank R. Claps of Bloomfield passed away Monday December 29, 2013 at the age of 88, with his loving family at his side. He was born on January 29, 1925 in Montclair, NJ, then resided in Belleville before moving to Glen Ridge where he resided for 20 years. He has lived in Bloomfield since 1958. Visitation will be at Frank Halpin's Brookdale Funeral Home, 1284 Broad Street, Bloomfield on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday at 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home followed by the Funeral Mass in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 60 Byrd Avenue, Bloomfield at 10:00 am. Interment will be in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Upper Montclair. Mr. Claps began his career at Schiavone-Bonomo Corporation of Jersey City then became Vice President and General Manager of Schiabo Corporation of Newark where he worked from 1957 until his retirement in 1990. Mr. Claps was a World War II veteran in the U.S. Navy, having served aboard a number of ships for three years. The last of which was at the Battle of Okinawa, when the Battleship Pennsylvania was nearly sunk by Japanese Kamikaze pilots. He also survived two fierce typhoons while aboard ship. Mr. Claps was the holder of five medals for Naval service at sea, two with bronze battle stars in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The former aboard a subchaser holding off German submarines while on convoy in the Atlantic. Mr. Claps was a graduate of LaSalle Military Academy, Oakdale, Long Island, NY. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He was an original member of the Board of Trustees of Oakside Cultural Center in Bloomfield. Mr. Claps was predeceased by his wife, Marie (Marchese) Claps. He is survived by a daughter Janine Gallo and husband Michael, a son Mark Claps, a sister, Filomena Raho and husband Joseph, a brother, Gerard Claps and wife Roberta, a dear cousin Josephine Bonomo, sister-in-law, Anita Cross, grandchildren, Alison D'Amato and husband Victor, Nicholas Gallo and fiancé Amy, Matthew Gallo and wife Rachel; great grandchildren, Vivian D'Amato and Emma Gallo, as well as many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the blinded Veterans Association, (Att: Wanda Grover) P.O. Box 42938, Philadelphia, PA 19101( www.bva.org ) Please visit www.halpinfh.com for directions and to leave condolence messages.