Son Of Senator, Democratic Activist To Be Remembered In Wyckoff

WYCKOFF, NJ — Honored as one of best trial attorneys in the state of New Jersey, Frank J. Sciro, Jr., the son of the late GOP senator and a Democratic Party activist for 50 years, died at 76 years old on Aug. 12. He will be remembered Thursday at a funeral visitation in Wyckoff, an obituary published by Vander Plaat Funeral Home said.

Sciro, a partner of Sciro & Marotta, P.C., in Paterson, was honored as one of the 10 best criminal law attorneys, as published by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys. He was also New Jersey's top-rated criminal lawyer by the Star Ledger Inside Jersey, a bio said on the firm's website.

Recognized by peers and clients as one of the "most compassionate" criminal attorneys, Sciro also served as a public defender for North Haledon and prosecutor for Woodland Park, the obituary said.

Born and raised in Paterson, where he attended Paterson Public Schools, Sciro was selected as an elite practitioner in numerous publications, including "Who's Who" in the U.S., and "Best of NJ" for outstanding Italian American Professionals. He graduated Seton Hall Law School in 1971.

Sciro, a member of the Criminal Defense Lawyers' Bar Association, also attained an "AV," which is a denotation for the highest rating of New Jersey trial attorneys.

In addition, Sciro served as the campaign manager for state and local officials, including former state Assemblywoman Elease Evans, and as a finance committee member for elected officials, including Congressman Bill Pascrell and Passaic County Sheriff Jerry Speziale.

He was also active in the presidential campaign of former President Barack Obama and was chief counsel for the Passaic County Board of Social Services.

In Sciro's spare time, he enjoyed spending time and creating memories with family, and he was an "avid fan" of the New York Yankees and Baltimore Ravens.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Tanis Sciro, his daughters, grandson and sister.

"He will long be remembered as a devoted 'pet lover' and sorely missed by all who knew him," the obituary said.