Michael A. Prokop

MICHAEL A. PROKOP

Loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend

Michael A. Prokop, 93, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family on June 17, 2023.  He was a resident of Florham Park, NJ for the past 45 years.  Michael was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ by his parents, John and Anna, who were immigrants from Czechoslovakia.  He graduated from St. Peter’s Prep in 1947.  At the age of 18, Michael enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  He proudly served stateside as a Sergeant in the Marines during the Korean War, supporting the war effort in the supply chain area. 

After the Marines, Michael joined the Jersey City Police Department and served for 35 years.  Some of his assignments were in the Motorcycle Squad, the Detective Division Special Investigations Unit, and the Uniform Patrol Division.  He received a number of Department Commendations for Outstanding Police Work.  He also earned a Police Science Degree from Rutgers University in 1975.  Michael was an expert marksman and an active member of the award-winning Jersey City Police Department Pistol Team. Michael was promoted to the rank of Inspector in 1988, but due to a subsequent rank elimination, he retired from the JCPD as a Captain in 1991. 

In 1956, Michael married the love of his life, Anna (nee Kuzma) and together they raised 4 children.  They loved to dance the polka, and wowed their children with their dazzling technique well into their senior years.  Michael was a devoted husband for 57 years, and was Anna’s sole caregiver for several years prior to her death in 2013.  He took pride in caring for his family, and was always willing to sacrifice for them.  A lifelong devout Catholic, he was a fixture at daily morning mass for most of his life.  Michael brought love and happiness to our lives, and was an inspirational role model for many people.  He will always be remembered as a true gentleman.

Michael was a member of the Police Superior Officers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Lafayette Amvets Post 33, the Madison/Florham Park American Legion Post 43, the Florham Park Senior Citizens Association and a volunteer for “Meals on Wheels.” 

Devoted father of Michael and his wife Kathryn, Eileen and her husband Joseph Dahlgren, Kathleen and her husband Robert Fragola, and John and his wife Kathleen.  Cherished grandfather of Andrew Prokop and his wife Quinn, Alex Prokop, Eric Prokop and his wife Tara, Caroline and Michael Dahlgren, Abigail, Thomas and Steven Prokop, and Robert Fragola.  Proud great-grandfather of Ava and Leo Prokop.  Michael was predeceased by his beloved wife Anna, his brother John and his sister Mary Campbell.

Funeral services will be held on June 22, 2023, at 10 AM at Holy Family Church, 1 Lloyd Ave, Florham Park, NJ, with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ.  Friends may visit on June 21, 2023, from 3 PM to 7 PM at Leonardis Memorial Home, 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter’s Prep (https://spprep.org), 144 Grand Street, Jersey City NJ 07302, or to a charity of your choice.