Richard F. Maska, president of the National Park Board of Education, died on Saturday, Dec. 12. He was 76 years old. He had been a board member for 44 years, and served as the board’s president for 42 years. He is thought to have been the longest-serving school board president in the state.
He was born and raised in National Park, and served in the Navy and Naval Reserve. He received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal. He retired from Prudential Property & Casualty in 1994.
He served on the NJSBA Audit Committee for more than 10 years.
Maska volunteered in a wide range of community activities. He was a National Park councilman, coached baseball in various leagues, was active in St. Matthew’s Church, the National Park V.F.W. Post 6884, the National Park Army-Navy Union Garrison Post # 52, the Woodbury American Legion Post 0133, the USS Forrestal Society, the Woodbury Moose Lodge 2585. He also spent 10 years as a docent aboard the USS New Jersey.
He was predeceased by his parents, and son Richard F. Maska, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan, daughter Michelle Myers, son Mark, and their spouses. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, a sister, a brother and several cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation at the McGuiness Funeral Home in Woodbury will be Dec. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by a farewell ceremony at 10 a.m. Contributions may be made in his name to the National Park Elementary School Student Activity Account, 516 Lakehurst Ave., National Park, N.J. 08063.