It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Francis James Mertz on March 26, 2025. Frank was born on September 24, 1937 in Newark, NJ and grew up in Summit NJ. He raised his family in Watchung, NJ and ultimately retired to Morristown, NJ.

The son of a salesman, Frank grew up in Newark’s Ironbound section and later attended St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, where he was awarded a debating scholarship at St. Peter’s College. Following graduation, he earned his JD from New York University School of Law in 1961. He later returned to St. Peter’s Prep where he taught algebra. At St. Peter’s College he was the first layperson to be executive vice president.

Frank had worked in New York, first as vice president and chief financial officer at New York Medical College and then as the administrative director of the law firm, Sage Gray Todd and Sims.

Frank returned to New Jersey to hold the dual positions as the president of the Independent College Fund of New Jersey and president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in New Jersey. In these roles, he coordinated the lobbying and funding for the state’s private colleges and universities and considerably boosted state aid to private institutions.

Frank's illustrious career in academia was marked by his unwavering commitment to independent higher education institutions in New Jersey. Frank was appointed interim president of Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1990 and formally installed as FDU’s fifth president at the University’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 1992. He served as president until his retirement in 1999, where he was awarded the title of President Emeritus.

During his time as the FDU president, he led the development of a strategic planning process with distinctive campus missions, helped strengthen academic standards and increase enrollment, expanded academic programs and curriculum offerings, orchestrated a financial resurgence that helped eliminate debt issues and led to five balanced budgets and a successful capital campaign and paved the way for more than $40 million in new construction projects.

Frank was honored by Felician College, Stevens Institute of Technology, St. Elizabeth’s College and Kyungnam University (South Korea), receiving Honorary Doctoral Degrees from all four academic institutions.

In addition to his work at FDU and higher education, Frank was active with numerous boards and nonprofit organizations and corporations. These included United Jersey Bank/Summit Bank Corp (Board of Directors), College of St Elizabeth, Felician College, Foundation for Independent Higher Education (Presiding Officer), Liberty Science Center, National Association of Colleges and Universities State Executives (President), NJ Commission on Higher Education, READY Foundation, St. James Foundation, Seton Hall University, Tri-County Scholarship Fund, to name a few. Most importantly, he dedicated himself to his family including his wife Gail, their six children and numerous grandchildren.

Frank is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Gail, their six children, Lynn (Levent), Chris (Nancy), Suzanne (Kurt), David (Jennifer), Amy (Jake), Jonathan (Carol) and his sister Sr. Judy Mertz SC. He was the beloved grandfather (Pop) to 11 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to Atlantic Visiting Nurse Hospice to support home health aide services for families and caregivers in need. Gifts may be mailed to Atlantic Visiting Nurse, Suite 465 South Street, Suite 100A, Morristown, NJ 07960 or online at: Donations - Visiting Nurse Services - Atlantic Health.