Francis "Frank" C. Wilson

Francis "Frank" C. Wilson, 88, long-time resident of Newington and beloved husband of Elfriede (Fenner) Wilson for 63 years, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.

Born and raised in New Britain by the late William E. Wilson and Iva E. Wilson Walls, Frank was a U.S. Army veteran and spent much of his working career at Pratt & Whitney.  He was a die-hard baseball fan, rooting for the Brooklyn Dodgers in his early years, and later, the Boston Red Sox. He also loved cheering on the UCONN women’s basketball team.  He was a dedicated member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Britain, serving as a Council member and leading the choir’s bass section for many years.

Frank held a life-long passion for music, including writing, recording, and performing his own original songs. From his beginnings recording a 45 RPM with one of the great area musicians, Sam Kimble (Sr.), through his later years with friends and fellow musicians Gil Koss, Joan Martin, and their personal recording engineer, Marcel Martin, Frank amassed an impressive songbook that has been thankfully preserved across several published albums.

Frank was a dedicated father to his children, Mark (Candace), Terri (John), Rebecca (Stephen) and Matt (Enna).  He thoroughly enjoyed the role of grandfather to Stephanie (Jon), Chelsea, Liana (Emilio), Laika (formerly Stacey), Reagan, Victoria (Luis), and Valentina, as well as great-grandfather to Jack and Ryan.

He was also the consummate patriarch across the extended Wilson family, including his beloved sister-in-law, Irma Fenner; nephew Bill (Jane) Wilson and their children Sydney, Haley, Billy, and Dylan; nieces Ruth Wilson, Gail (Bill) Fissette, and their children, Aimee, Tracy, and Bethany; as well as sister-in-law Claire Fenner and nephews John, Paul, and Michael.

Frank was pre-deceased by his beloved brothers James and William, brother-in-law Max, sisters-in-law Dorothy and Ella, and nephews Gary and Jim.

Frank also placed great value on special friendships over the years, especially with Lois & Jim Packard and family, all the Rochette families, Dick Schlosser, the Koss family, and the Martin family.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, October 12th, from 12-2pm at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home (411 South Main St., New Britain CT), followed by a memorial service beginning at 2pm.  Burial at Fairview Cemetery, New Britain, will be private.

The family would like to thank the nurses, caregivers, and all the staff at Jefferson House in Newington, for their dedicated and respectful care of Frank over the past 18 months.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice, or to Lucy Robbins Welles Library (100 Garfield St., Newington, CT 06111), where Frank was a frequent and well-known visitor for many years.