Carl William Franz, age 86 of Manchester, New Jersey, died peacefully on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Ocean University Medical Center in Brick, New Jersey.

Carl was the son of Frederick David Franz and Edith Marie Lindberg Higgins Franz and was predeceased by his brother Frederick David Franz. Carl is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Marion McLellan Franz, his children Carl David Franz (Paola), Theodore William Franz (Ekaterina), and Karen Edith Franz (Tobi), and grandchildren Ariel, Angeli, Martina, Kevin, Alina, and E.D. Franz. He is also survived by his cousin Albert Painter, his McLellan in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.

Carl’s interests varied from sports to arts and crafts to comedy routines. He was a dedicated son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend as well as a teacher, coach, referee, and athlete.

A resident of Bergenfield, New Jersey for 74 years, Carl graduated in Bergenfield High School’s class of 1957 and served in the U.S. Army as a Spec-5 on the Hawk Missile at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico where he competed on the WSMR flag football team and was captain and coach of the WSMR volleyball team that was the Fourth Army champion. He was very proud to be an Army veteran.

After his service, he graduated from William Paterson University and earned a master’s degree at Montclair State College. Carl taught chemistry and other science classes at Indian Hills High School in Oakland, New Jersey for over 30 years. He coached the girls’ softball team, was assistant coach of the girls’ basketball team, and was a class advisor during many of those years. With his colleagues, he had great fun participating in the annual FLOW Follies scholarship fundraiser shows, re-enacting Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First” and Jackie Gleason’s “The Honeymooners” comic routines.

Carl worked for years as the assistant manager of the New Milford Swim Club, was on the Bergenfield Recreation Committee and led one of the borough's summer camp programs. He coached Bergenfield Little League and All-Star baseball teams and officiated youth and high school sports throughout northern New Jersey. As a 30-year supporter of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, he was recently sent a letter, gift, and a gold lifetime museum pass in gratitude.

Carl also played softball in the Bergenfield, Tenafly, and Lyndhurst men’s softball leagues. As a lefty, he was known to drag bunt and sprint to first base faster than players many years his junior. He continued playing in men’s softball leagues in Venice and Englewood, Florida into his 80s. Long after he retired, younger coaches would call to ask him to come to the practice field to teach their players how to slide and bunt – his “small ball” specialties.

Throughout his life, Carl cherished his time with family and friends. Carl was unofficially and affectionately called The President of the Thursday Night Boys’ Club, a group of his friends who met for dinner every Thursday night.

For 35 years, he and the family enjoyed boating and other summer activities at their cabin on Great Lake Sacandaga in the southern Adirondack Mountains town of Mayfield, New York.

A celebration of Carl’s life will be held in spring and details will be shared with family and friends when arrangements are complete. In memory of Carl, donations may be sent to the Ramapo-Indian Hills Regional High School Scholarship Fund, 131 Yawpo Avenue, Oakland, NJ 07436, in care of the Business Office. Donations to this fund will be awarded to a deserving Indian Hills High School senior.

Private interment will be held at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, a state military cemetery, at 350 Province Line Road in Wrightstown, New Jersey.