A fitting tribute

Frank Cangelosi (center) poses with school security officials for a picture used in a yearbook during his time as principal of Edison High School. Frank N. Cangelosi was known as “the man, the myth, and the legend” during his 14 years as principal of Edison High School.

“Now, the legend lives on in this building,” said Gail Pawlikowski, principal of John P. Stevens High School. Pawlikowski was an assistant principal at Edison when Cangelosi was principal.

School officials came together on Jan. 31 to officially celebrate the dedication of the Edison High School gymnasium as the Frank N. Cangelosi Gymnasium. The celebration was held before tipoff of the Lady Eagles’ basketball game against the Lady Panthers of Perth Amboy.

Those present credited Cangelosi, who served as principal from 1990 to 2004, as instrumental in transforming Edison High School into what it is today, paving the way for the success that is being continued by current Principal Charles Ross.

The dedication event included a reception with a slideshow of photos in the school library, followed by the unveiling of the gym’s new name. A number of former and current colleagues and students of Cangelosi reminisced about their friend and mentor. The reception also included performances by the Edison High School jazz band, and refreshments made and served by home economics students.

Cangelosi’s wife, Jann, who attended the reception, said her husband passed away suddenly in 2009 at the age of 63. She said her husband made a difference during his 14 years at the helm, which was evident in the large turnout for the reception.

“This speaks loud and clear,” she said, addressing the crowd. “He would have been humbled, and this is a great honor to a legacy that he left behind.”

Jann Cangelosi said her husband had a lifelong passion for basketball, and colleagues lightheartedly recalled his work on the basketball tournament brackets.

“Our family is gratified with the extremely kind and eloquent words that were said,” she said .

She said her husband set the framework for school spirit, curriculum improvements and other improvements at Edison High School.

“Our only hope is for his electrifying, positive energy to resonate and continue to help others,” she said.

Veronica Harris, a health and physical education teacher at Edison, said Ross approached her to see if she would like to organize the event, and she gladly accepted.

“Frank was a no-nonsense type of guy,” she said. “You definitely knew where you stood with Mr. Cangelosi. He was a top-notch guy. He was always committed to the kids, from sports to academics to drama.”

Kim Mitchell, an English teacher at the school, said she arrived the same year as Cangelosi.

“He was all for the kids,” she said. “He was the spirit of the school. The gym was where he started his day, playing basketball in aT-shirt and shorts. Naming the gym after him is just really perfect.”

Lorraine Ross, a retired math teacher at Edison, said Cangelosi whipped the high school into shape.

“He took control and made Edison High into a great school,” she said. “When he was here, he was everywhere. This is well deserved.” Diana Schneider, who worked as a secretary for Cangelosi, said the longtime principal ran a “tight ship.”

“He was just a remarkable and wonderful man,” she said. “This is why all these people are here.”

Pawlikowski was one of the “big three” assistant principals working for Cangelosi. The others were Louis Figueroa, former principal at Herbert Hoover Middle School and current East Brunswick High School assistant superintendent of student activities and services and anti-bullying coordinator; and Steve Preville, nowthe principal at Ben Franklin Elementary School.

“The gym was one of his favorite places. … He would start his mornings playing basketball,” said Pawlikowski. “This [renaming] complements him just right. He loved Edison High School. … He is arguably the greatest Eagle to have ever soared.”

Pawlikowski said she remembers her boss as a hard-working, dedicated individual who brought out the best qualities in people.

“He came to work every day well dressed and well groomed,” she said. “He had that ability to command an audience and everyone would listen.”

All of his colleagues are better people for having worked for Cangelosi, she said.

“He would sit and go over cases with us and allowus to think out loud with him,” Pawlikowski said. “He was patient with us, he supported us. If you showed even some interest in something, he would help you achieve it.” Figueroa said Cangelosi was like the brother he never had.

“He is what I needed, he knew what buttons to push. Truthfully, he is the reason why I am where I am today,” he said. “I am fortunate to have been around him.”

Figueroa said he remembers Cangelosi telling him truthfully about the state of affairs at the school during his interview with the principal early on.

“He [bluntly] said how miserable we were,” he said. From then on, school officials worked on plans to bring the school up to a certain standard. Pawlikowski noted that Cangelosi set the bar at the highest level for his employees and students.

Figueroa said he incorporates the teachings and lessons of Cangelosi in all of his decisions. Preville also said Cangelosi’s lessons have influenced all of his decisions. He recalled his own job interview with Cangelosi, and that the principal had likened Edison to the Titanic. Preville said his former boss instilled in his staff the importance of continuing to work hard because the “ship could easily still sink.”

“He laid everything out on the line,” he said. “If he argued with you, he did not like to see you fold up and go into a corner. He liked to see you face to face, to see you take on the challenge. He respected that. He definitely impacted all of our lives.”

Cangelosi was born in New York and grew up in Jersey City. He attended St. Peter’s College and received his master’s degree from Seton Hall University. At the age of 30, he became vice principal of Freehold Township High School. In 1980, he opened the new Lacey Township High School and served as principal there for 10 years before he came to Edison High School, where he finished his career, retiring in 2004. Among his achievements and accomplishments was the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Principal.