Margate mourns loss of school board President Dr. Joel Frankel
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
Joel B. Frankel, DMD
MARGATE The devastating news that Dr. Joel Frankel of Margate died unexpectedly at age 43 Saturday, July 8 has forced the cancellation of Wednesday's Board of Education meeting. Frankel, who served on the board for 10 years, was recently elected president of the board, replacing former President Cathy Horn, who was elected to the Board of Commissioners.
"He was kind, he was loyal, he was intellegent and compassionate, and an all-around good guy," Horn said. "He was my friend."
Frankel, a board-certified periodontist who grew up in Margate, attended the city schools and Atlantic City High School, operated a dental practice on Ventnor Avenue where he worked side-by-side with his father Dr. Alan Frankel. Joel Frankel was highly respected in his field and often saw patients after hours or on weekends to alleviate their dental pain.
"He was an old-school doctor who took great pride in his work," Horn said. "This is a huge loss, not only for his family and friends, but for the schools and the community."
According to his obituary, published by J.S. Goldstein Funeral Home, Frankel would put the needs of others before himself. In addition to being a school board member for many years, he coached youth basketball and soccer.
He was an avid sportsman who rowed crew for ACHS and his alma mater, University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. He was a member of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol during his high school and college years and recently passed the Margate City Beach Patrol lifeguard test on his 43rd birthday.
As Commissioner of Public Safety, Horn attended the tryout and asked Frankel what he was doing there.
"He said he wanted to see if he still had what it takes to be a lifeguard and to have some fun." Horn said. "He had a respectable tryout with those kids. And, that's how I want to remember him - as a happy, energetic guy."
He is survived by his wife Meredith, daughter Hayden, son Reid, his parents Alan and Peggy, and two brothers, David and Ted, and sister Sunne.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, July 13 at the Dominick A. Potena Performing Arts Center, 23 Monmouth Ave. in the rear of the Eugene A. Tighe Middle School. The service will be livestreamed at www.jsgfunerals.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
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