Former Barnegat Mayor Dies From COVID-19

BARNEGAT, NJ — Former Mayor Frank Caputo died Monday after a battle with COVID-19, according to an obituary and media reports.

Caputo, 76, served on the Barnegat Township Committee from 2016 through 2018 and as mayor in 2018. Caputo also served as a deputy mayor in Belleville, his hometown in Essex County.

Family members of Caputo said his death was caused by COVID-19 complications, according to a report on TapInto.net.

“Former Mayor Frank Caputo served the township and the residents of Barnegat honorably as mayor and a member of the Township Committee,” said Barnegat Mayor Al Bille. “My colleagues on the Township Committee and I, as well as the township employees and residents mourn his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Frank will be sorely missed.”

According to his obituary on the Barnegat Funeral Home website, Caputo served in many New Jersey elementary and high schools as a mentor, role model and principal. He also served on school boards in Mount Olive, Clifton and Barnegat.

A visitation will be held Friday at the Barnegat Funeral Home from 3 to 7 p.m. and a funeral mass is planned for St. Mary of the Pines in Manahawkin on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

In his memory, Caputo's family has established the Frank Caputo Memorial Fund for graduating Barnegat High School seniors. Donations to the fund are welcome in lieu of flowers.

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Barnegat-Manahawkin Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email kimberlee.bongard@patch.com.