In Memoriam - Frank Tyger

On this page we present articles that appeared in The Times of Trenton following the death of Frank Tyger on May 2, 2011. 
Additionally, the text of euologies delivered at his funeral on May 5, 2011 in Ewing, New Jersey are presented.

Frank Tyger, Times' former publicity manager, dies at 81

by Carmen Cusido
(Staff Writer)

Published in The Times of Trenton,
Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Frank Tyger, The Times’ witty and compassionate longtime former publicity and marketing manager, columnist and nationally known cartoonist, died yesterday at the Greenwood House, Home for Jewish Aged after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 81.

Tyger, nicknamed “Mr. Times” by some for his tireless dedication to the newspaper where he worked for nearly 35 years, was a top-notch cartoonist whose drawings appear in numerous anthologies and at least three presidential libraries.

“The door of Frank Tyger’s office carried a sign that said ‘Enter smiling … leave happy.’ When you were lucky enough to work with Frank on any project, you were sure to ‘leave happy,’” said
Sheila Gallagher-Montone, publisher and advertising director of The Times of Trenton.

“Frank Tyger was the face of The Times for so many years. He provided tours to Cub Scouts, he worked with nonprofits, published quotable quotes in the Reader’s Digest and seemed to greet every person every day with his infectious smile. Frank Tyger’s gift to all of us was his wit, charm and that memorable smile,” said Gallagher-Montone.

His friends and family have set up a website to honor his life and work: www.franktyger.info.

Tyger came to The Times in 1962, retired in 1997 and spent most of the intervening years promoting the paper and interacting with many agencies, nonprofit organizations and businesses — in addition to cartooning. One of his cartoons was exhibited in the National Gallery in Washington.

He was a stickler for detail who loved his work so much that he never took a vacation or even a day off. He reveled in helping spearhead fundraising causes such as the Times’ annual Holiday Appeal.

For the final 10 years of his Times career, Tyger also wrote a weekly column, promoting local causes and sharing good wishes, as well as launching campaigns like the one in which he rounded up cots and beds for Trenton’s Rescue Mission.

“Frank was one of a kind — I say that in all the positive meanings of that phrase,” said Brian Malone, a former publisher and editor of The Times who knew Tyger for about 23 years.

“He was a great ambassador for The Times, he was loved in the community, was well-respected and he understood the role that a good community newspaper should play in the community,” Malone said.

Tyger was also a gifted punster, humorist and writer of aphorisms whose specific take on life enriched the pages of Reader’s Digest, Forbes and a dozen other equally prestigious publications. For more than 30 years, he wrote the Burning Bright column for Mercer Business magazine, offering humorous or interesting quotes.

Among Tyger’s clever turns of phrase are: “Progress is not created by contented people”; “All wise men share one trait in common: the ability to listen”; and “Wisdom isn’t the acquisition of knowledge. It’s knowing which knowledge is worth acquiring.”

“He was just a quiet guy who was always trying to do things to help others and make others feel good,” said former Times publisher Richard Bilotti. He recalled how Tyger ate some pizza at his 65th birthday party at The Times, even though he hated cheese. “That’s the kind of guy he was, we had gotten it for him.”

Tyger is survived by his brother Robert and sister-in-law, Charlotte Tyger, of Hamilton.

Frank (Franklin) Tyger

Obituary published in The Times of Trenton,
Monday and Tuesday, May 3 and 4, 2011

Frank (Franklin) Tyger EWING - Frank Tyger, 81, a loving and devoted son, brother, brother-in-law and uncle, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2011, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Born Franklin Tyger in Brooklyn, NY, he was the eldest son of Joseph and Belle Heller Tyger.

He served as editor of his high school newspaper, beginning his lifelong interest in news, writing and cartooning.

Frank was a creative soul whose mind was always working on expressing his ideas through his drawing, his writing, and his words.

He attended the City College of New York and the Cartoonists and Illustrators School. Frank proudly served in the United States Army, applying his talents to writing and drawing for the base newspaper during his training and later as a cryptographer during the Korean Conflict, serving primarily in Germany.

After completing his Army service, he worked in several jobs in marketing and advertising.

Frank's first nationally-published cartoon appeared in the Saturday Evening Post in 1954. He began his career with the Trenton Times in the early 1960s, starting as an editorial cartoonist and
eventually spending 35 years with The Times as promotion manager and columnist.

Frank was also a writer of greeting cards, hosted a radio show, and wrote jokes for stand-up comedians.

His editorial cartoons were syndicated world-wide. One has been displayed by the National Archives and several hang in presidential libraries.

He was a master of the one-line quote, and his work appeared nationally in print media including Forbes Magazine, Reader's Digest, Editor and Publisher and the Wall Street Journal.

He was a longtime member of Congregation Brothers of Israel Synagogue, the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, and served on the Boards of the Rescue Mission of Trenton and Mercer Business Magazine.

He was presented the Lifeline Humanitarian Award in 1988 for outstanding community service, named Kiwanis Man of the Year in 1994, and selected by Contact of Mercer County in 1997 as
Humanitarian of the Year for his many contributions to assist local charitable organizations.

In addition to his parents, Frank was predeceased by his brother, Stanley Tyger.

He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Charlotte Tyger of Yardville; his sister-in-law, Barbara Tyger of Ewing; two nieces and their husbands, Diane and Stuart Neuhof, and Susan and John Steinmetz of Hamilton, and a nephew and his wife, Michael and Lori Ann Tyger of Hamilton.

Frank was a loving influence to, and a tremendous supporter of, his great-nephews and nieces, Stephen Neuhof (and his fiancee, Stefanie), Beth Neuhof, Robert (Robbie) Steinmetz, Alexis Tyger, and Joseph Franklin Tyger.

Funeral services are on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Orland's Ewing Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Rd., Ewing, NJ. Burial will follow at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, NJ. Calling hours are on Thursday from 10 a.m. to the service time at the memorial chapel.

Contributions in memory of Frank may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018; Greenwood House, 53 Walter St., Ewing, NJ 08628, or to a local charity of the donor's choice.

Euology delivered by Michael Tyger, Nephew, on May 5, 2011

Frank Tyger did not necessarily think of funerals the way many of us do. He attended many, and I think viewed them more as a celebration of life than a mourning of death. There was one he attended which he particularly enjoyed because it was a New Orleans style service with a live band playing songs including "When the Saints Go Marchin’ In." He would often comment after a funeral that he was happy to have been able to attend. He would have been humbled and honored by the presence of all of you here today.

My Uncle Frank was probably my biggest supporter and fan, and I have him to thank for so many of the experiences and the values that have shaped my life and made me the person that I am today. My feeling is that he would want - and probably expect - me to say something today, and I would hate to let him down.   Read full text ...

Euology delivered by Joseph Tyger, Great Nephew

My Great Uncle Frank was a very kind and generous man.

Euology delivered by Diane Neuhof, Niece

A tribute to a truly remarkable man, Frank Tyger, my uncle. I am an extremely proud niece to have an uncle as wonderful as you are. As I was growing up as a child there are certain things that you never forget. All the visits to see my Grandma and Uncle Frank at 33 Lincoln Court. It was my second home. (Even today, I still drive by Lincoln Court and stop and look at the apartment where the Tygers lived. I feel such a connection there. In my mind I visualize Uncle Frank and Grandma staring out the window waving goodbye to us as we drove off). I loved going there to see Uncle Frank. He was always so happy, loving, funny and always full of humor.      Read full text ...

Euology delivered by Irwin Stoolmacher, Friend

I got to know Frank Tyger through The Times Christmas Appeal.

For many years the funds from the appeal were used to do a variety of good things in the community. Frank would oversee the funds and distribute them to various charities that help those in need in the community. He did this very prudently.        Read full text ...

Items Posted on LEGACY.COM By Friends of Frank

Read full text ...

Frank Tyger - Cartoonist, Writer, Gentleman

A Tribute published in Mercer Business magazine - June 2011
by Maggi Hill (Editor)

[Frank] Tyger, who passed away from Parkinson's Disease May 2 at the age of 81 was what is becoming that rarest of journalistic birds; one for whom his sense of duty to impart wisdom, spotlight important organizations and issues and also to make people laugh kept him at it daily for more than half his life. He didn't have the Internet to help him to shade his columns or cartoons with information at the click of a mouse, but rather, he pounded the pavement and interacted with all facets of the community he was clearly so proud to be a part of; as a voice for those without one and those in need.    Read full text ...