What you do for the least of my brothers...

Frank was called home to the Lord yesterday after his long battle with cancer. He was blessed to be surrounded by his family, both his biological family and his DPD, (Department for Persons with Disabilities), family, throughout the day yesterday, as he was during his entire illness. His passing was peaceful and we praise God that he is no longer suffering.

Here is Frank's story, written recently by his sisters, Lisa & Joanne. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers. God bless you, Frank! And in your honor, I am rooting for the Mets & will enjoy a Whopper today!

Frank Pinter recieves an award from DPD

“Sorry, we can’t help you.” “We have a waiting list of 5 years.” “We are not the right people to call.”….

These are the responses the sisters received as they tried to find an appropriate living situation for their brother who is legally blind and developmentally disabled. You see, a few weeks prior, their parents, both 51, were killed in a tragic car crash on their way to work. Not only were the sisters (20 and 25 years old respectively) grieving the traumatic loss of their wonderful parents, they were now facing the challenge of finding the best care for their beloved brother, Frank, who was 28 years old at the time. They were not having any luck.

Until one day, one of the sisters approached the pastor of their parish, St. Therese, Succasunna, and asked for help. He sent them to see the pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Flanders.

As she entered Flanders, she saw a beautiful parish and rectory. At the rectory, she met with Msgr. Wehrlen, whom unbeknownst to her, started the Department for Persons with Disabilities 25 years earlier. She poured out her heart and soul about their parents and brother. Many tears were shed. Moved by her story, Msgr. Wehrlen told her that he would pick her up the next day and they would visit some people to whom she could tell her story.

The next day, Msgr. Wehrlen picked her up and they set off to Jefferson. After a beautiful ride on tree-lined roads, they pulled into Catholic Charities Way, Oak Ridge, where they met with Julie Tatti and Tom Barrett. Upon hearing the family’s desperate situation and making a home visit, Tom and Julie assured the sisters that they could help.

~Joanna Miller, Associate DPD Executive Director

And the rest is history…

Frank with band playing at his birthday picnic at DPD

Frank has been with the DPD for the last 25 years. From living in the first Basile home in Paterson where he roomed with Robert, Bill and Bobby, to many years in Basile in Wayne with an outstanding staff and roommates, Frank has had an amazing life as part of the DPD family. Living in a supervised apartment with his peers brought out the best in Frank. He blossomed as an individual as he began to live more independently. From spending time with his roommates, to many picnics and DPD dances, to trips to Atlantic City or to see his favorite baseball teams with the guys and the staff, to walks to Kmart, Sam Goody’s and Burger King, to his Sprout trips, to going to Care at St. Thomas Church, and working at the Hoehne ARC, Frank blossomed.

And now, in the final chapter of Frank’s life, the DPD has continued to shine through as a source of love, comfort and strength for Frank and his family. By moving him to a home where he now receives both daily and overnight care from an incredible staff, in addition to frequent visits by Scott, Joanna, nurse Annie and the staff and guys from Basile, Frank is surrounded by love, compassion and light in this last stage of his life.

Thank you DPD for being a source of Amazing Grace to our family. Thank you for helping Frank blossom and bloom.

With every act of love and kindness, the DPD truly brings “God’s Kingdom Come…”.

~Joanne & Lisa