Mahwah Football Star, NFL Player Frank Chamberlin Dies at 35

Frank Chamberlin, a former Mahwah High School football star who played five seasons in the NFL, lost his battle with a rare form of brain cancer Sunday. He was 35.

Chamberlin lived in Wyckoff with his wife of 10 years, Lisa, and their three young daughters, Micaela, Leah, and Brooke.

He grew up in Mahwah, where he was known for his athletic accomplishments in multiple sports.

Chamberlin attended Boston College on a full football scholarship, where he won several awards.

According to Chamberlin’s obituary, he won the Boston College Scanlon Award, “the highest honor in the school's football program, awarded annually to the player who most exemplified the ideals of a scholar, athlete, gentleman and friend,” and the team-chosen MVP award.

Chamberlin was drafted by the Tennessee Titans, and played for six years in the NFL with the Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, and Houston Texans.

After his football days, Chamberlin worked as a VP of Equity Trading at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a financial services firm in Manhattan.

Last January, Chamberlin suffered a seizure and collapsed at work.

He was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma (Grade III Glioma), a severe form of brain cancer. Chamberlin underwent surgery that partially removed the tumor, but was left with ongoing seizures and significant speech impairment.

Locals launched a far-reaching fundraising campaign to support the Chamberlin family, ‘Fight for Frank.’

The organization hosted multiple fundraisers throughout Mahwah, Wyckoff, and surrounding towns over the past two years to help pay for ongoing treatment.

Tuesday, the ‘Fight for Frank’ site posted a simple message in his memory – “Frank is at peace. Whole, healed and smiling down from heaven. Nothing in this world will ever be the same.”

Chamberlin leaves behind his wife and kids, mother Gwenn Hendrick, sister Wendi Adams, and a large extended family. He was often described as a loving family man.

His obituary reads, “Beyond his many accomplishments, Frank Chamberlin was a remarkable person, beloved by those who knew him. He was a natural leader, and his remarkable strength was matched only by the depth of his kindness. He was a role model and inspiration for friends and strangers, proof that hard work and discipline can allow anyone to achieve their goals. He was truly one of a kind and will forever be deeply missed.”

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. at the Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home in Ramsey. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul RC Church in Ramsey. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah. Frank's wishes were that in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to his daughters' future education at www.fightforfrank.org.