It is never easy to say goodbye to someone who spent his whole life fighting for others. The city of Passaic lost a genuine hero this week, and the news has hit the community harder than anyone could have expected. Frank Koterba, the president of the Education Association of Passaic, has passed away. He was a man who did not just hold a title; he lived every single day looking out for teachers, staff, and young kids across the public school system.
The news first broke through a deeply moving announcement from Passaic Firefighters FMBA Local 13. In a social media message written with heavy hearts, the firefighters shared that Frank had died. They reached out to wrap their arms around his family during this brutal time, sending their sincere condolences to his wife, Jessica, and the entire Koterba and De La Cruz families.
Frank was much more than a union official doing administrative paperwork behind a desk. As president of the Education Association of Passaic, he stood right on the front lines for educators, support staff, and classroom personnel throughout the Passaic City School District. Everyone who worked alongside him knew he was a fiercely loyal public servant. His dedication to improving public education left a permanent mark on the city that will not fade anytime soon.
If you ask the people who grew up in his classrooms, they will tell you he was an incredible mentor. Former students have been flooding social media with personal memories of how Frank believed in them when nobody else did. He spent years championing young people, constantly pushing them to grab hold of every opportunity to build a better future for themselves.
His colleagues at the teachers union loved him just as much as his students did. In a heartbreaking statement posted by the Education Association of Passaic, fellow staff members called Frank a leader, a mentor, and above all, a real friend. They remembered him as a person of total integrity and kindness—someone who always listened, always cared, and always put other people before himself.
Beyond his tireless work in the school district, Frank was a dedicated family man who loved life’s simple, everyday moments. Family photos shared by loved ones show a man who found immense joy in the quiet times at home. He poured endless love into his blended family, cherishing every single moment spent with those closest to his heart.
As the community attempts to process this immense loss, the local firefighters union has asked all Passaic residents to keep the Koterba and De La Cruz families in their thoughts and prayers. Frank Koterba gave his heart and soul to Passaic, and the entire town is coming together to honor the incredible legacy he leaves behind.
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