Frank Malatesta

Frank Malatesta, 93, of Wyckoff, NJ passed away on June 11, 2026.

Born in Paterson, Frank’s heart would always remain there. He attended Eastside High School and met the love of his life, Gwen, during a football game at Hinchcliffe Stadium that he would call the greatest day of his life. They would spend the next 76 years together, 68 of those married after they tied the knot at St. Joseph’s Church and moved into their first house that he built on 28th Street.

At the age of 30, Frank started Frank Malatesta Moving & Storage and later Horseless Carriage Carriers on Iowa Avenue (now renamed Frank Malatesta Way) shipping classic, antique and exotic cars all over the United States. In business Frank’s motto was that there were four ways to do things: the right way, the wrong way, his way or the highway. From his policy of every driver always dressing in uniform to his meticulous care for his trucks, Frank built a company that was the standard in the industry and the trusted carrier for Ferrari, Maserati, McLaren, Rolls Royce and many others over the years. Frank worked six days a week until he sold the business at the age of 90 when he started his least favorite job he ever had: “retirement.”

Frank’s love for trucking extended into his own collection of antique trucks, Buddy L toys, World War II army vehicles and plenty more that made a private tour of Frank’s warehouse one of the hidden gems in Paterson.

Throughout life Frank enjoyed time with his family from Sunday dinners to weekends spent with his grandchildren at the family’s house on Long Beach Island. For Frank a typical “leisure” day at the beach involved catching a bucket of crabs and putting all his grandkids and neighbors to work cleaning and picking every single one over the course of a few hours. Frank and Gwen enjoyed traveling together and with their family to Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe and more, as well as seeing the country with their friends from the Antique Truck Historical Society.

Frank will be remembered for his generosity and willingness to help everyone he met. From his grandchildren to the many younger business owners he mentored, Frank was always busy lending a helping hand and offering whatever advice he could. Frank was also very involved with various charities including hosting children from the Eastern Christian Children’s Retreat, donating boxes to United States Armed Forces serving abroad, and contributing to the Passaic County 200 Club, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the United States Armed Forces and many others.

Frank enjoyed every day of life and most importantly - did it his way.

Frank is survived by his daughters, Kate Moore and Kymm Malatesta, grandchildren Brad Zak (wife, Aisley Carter), Zack Moore, Austin Zak (wife, Emily), Reed Zak and Mackenzie Moore as well as his great-grandson Callen Carter-Zak.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the World War II American Experience Museum in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where some of his vehicles are on display.

Link:http://visitww2.org/

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