Philip Frank Svoboda of Avenel, NJ has left this life to be joined once again with his beloved wife Benetta. They are reunited and dancing in the heavens among the stars.

Philip Frank was born January 9, 1923 in Elizabeth, NJ to Charles A. and Rose (nee Smith) Svoboda and departed this life on May 15, 2026 after 103 blessed years on this earth.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 72 years Benetta C. (nee Sauer) Svoboda; his parents Charles A. Svoboda and Rose A. Svoboda; his daughter Julia Ann; his siblings Frances Veltre, Marguerite Svoboda, Charles J. Svoboda, and Rose Ann Brennen.

He is survived by his children Charles F. Svoboda, Philip M. Svoboda and wife Deb, Rosemary Cuffaro and husband Giuseppe; three grandchildren Christina Pross and husband Andrew, Kenda May Svoboda and fiancée Matthew Miller, Wren Svoboda and fiancée Marrianna Weishaupt; two great-grandchildren Nathan and Ava Pross, and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and Knights of Columbus brothers.

Phil was a WW II veteran having served in the Army Air Corp (Air Force) from 1943 to 1946. Upon his discharge from the service, he wed Benetta on July 23, 1946 and lived in southeast Missouri until 1953. In 1954 Phil and Benetta established residency in Avenel, NJ where he lived until his passing this year.

He was active in the community. Phil was a communicant of St. Andrew’s Catholic Parish of Avenel, a valued brother with St. Andrew’s Knights of Columbus Council 5088, a member of the Holy Name Society, Veterans of Foreign War Avenel Memorial Post #7164, American Legion Post #248 Colonia, The Golden Circle Senior Citizens of Avenel, and member of an informal group known as the R.O.M.E.O.s (Retired Old Men Eating Out). He supported the local election polls, advocated for people to vote, and was a strident supporter of his chosen elected officials.

In service to the Knights of Columbus, Phil joined in January 1943. He was a Charter Member and Past Grand Knight of the St. Andrews Council 5088 founded in 1961 and a Past Faithful Navigator of the Rev. John J. Griffin Fourth Degree Assembly 667. He was an Honorary Emeritus Member of the Avenel Columbia Club and served as a mentor for the brothers who endeavored to uphold the founding principles of the Knights of Columbus Brotherhood. Through his actions and life commitments, Phil has lived the four principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism.

Phil had a career in the newspaper business as a printer for the Newark Evening News and then as a paste-up artist with the Newark Star Ledger until his retirement in 1990.

His spirit reverberates in the lives of all who have been influenced by him. This old Irish Toast captures Phil’s sentiment about friendship: “May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty.”

When tasked with writing this obituary of Phil, who was an intimate part of many lives, Theodore Dreiser’s quote provides great insight: “Words are but the vague shadow of the volumes we mean. Little audible links, they are, chaining together great inaudible feelings and purposes.”

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. at Costello-Koyen Funeral Home (www.costello-koyen.com), 399 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Andrew Catholic Church, Avenel. Interment will be in Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia. Visiting hours will be on Friday May 22 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Svoboda’s memory can be made to the Saint Vincent DePaul Society at St. Andrew’s Church, 244 Avenel Street, Avenel, 07001 or to the Columbian Club of Avenel, in memory of PGK/PFN Phil F. Svoboda, 109 Morrisey Ave, Avenel, NJ 07001.