NORTH BRUNSWICK – The Township of North Brunswick’s Veteran Street Sign Program allows township residents who were wartime veterans to be recognized with a secondary street sign on an existing municipal road.
On Aug. 29, Linwood Place and Waksman Place were designated as Pacia Way, while Willow Avenue and Cypress Avenue were renamed Krauss Way.
The late Francis Pacia was born Sept. 19, 1919, in Jersey City.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 19 and served on the USS Arkansas, USS Collett and the USS New Jersey. He served during battles in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Pacific and the Philippines.
He was honorably discharged on Jan. 1, 1947, and received a meritorious commendation for heroic actions aboard the USS New Jersey.
Pacia attended television repair school under the GI Bill and opened his own repair shop. He also worked as an engineer for American Standard.
He married Elena on June 10, 1945. They have four children: Frank Jr., Marie Michaelson, Debbie Healy and Joseph Pacia. He also has five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Pacia passed away on Jan. 23, 1968, from cancer at age 49. His widow Elena, 99, continues to reside in North Brunswick.
The late George P. Krauss was born Oct. 6, 1922, in Milltown.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 8, 1943, serving as a Chief Petty Officer 1st Class aboard the USS New York BB34, also known as “The Old Lady of the Fleet”.
He served in the Pacific during World War II and was part of the Okinawa Bombardment in Japan. During this battle, the ship provided constant fire without relief as well as cover and safety to ground troops. Krauss survived a Kamikaze attack on that ship and was honorably discharged from active duty on April 30, 1946.
He left the Navy School of Music as a Musician 1st Class, and was awarded the American Theater Award and the Asiatic-Pacific Award with two stars for his service.
Krauss was a highly accomplished musician and educator and spent most of his career in the New Brunswick School District. He played “Taps” at the war memorial on Georges Road every Memorial Day.
He was married to Christine Krauss for 39 years until his death on Oct. 24, 1987. They have four children: G. Edward (Eddie) Krauss, Barbara Santoro, Kathryn Galtere and Nansi Krauss. They also have five grandchildren.
