In Memorium: Longtime Rumsonite, Avid Runner, Frank Gilhool

Longtime former Rumsonite, Korean War vet and avid runner Francis (Frank) X. Gilhool passed away on April 19.

Frank and his wife Ann lived in Rumson for 30 years and raised their family there before moving to Shrewsbury 20 years ago.

Frank Gilhool
Photo/family via Thompson Memorial Home

Born in Carbondale, PA, Frank was raised with 10 other siblings, five brothers and five sisters.

In high school, he was a newspaper carrier and a soda jerk at McCawleys Drug Store in his hometown, his loved ones said in his obituary. After high school, Frank moved to Washington, DC and joined the FBI. He served in battle in the Korean War and received an honorable discharge, the obituary added.

After the war he went to college at East Stroudsburg Teacher’s College. “Frank also was a bible salesman and impressed one of his customers so much that he had him come to work for him at NY Life Insurance Company,” his obituary said. “Frank then opened his own insurance company, G.F. Financial, along with his partner Ed Foster.”

An avid runner, Frank completed eight marathons, including The NYC Marathon, his favorite.

Frank is predeceased by his daughter Maureen.

Surviving are: his wife, Ann; sons Michael and wife Megan, Francis and his wife Kim; granddaughters Kate, Natalie and Daisy; and his siblings Mary, Florence, Grace and Kerry.

Services at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Frank’s name can be made to the Food Bank or the Monmouth County SPCA.