Frank Wilbert Soucy

Frank was known by many names by different people throughout his life - Francis, Fran, Frank, Dad, Grandpa, Chief, Uncle Fran, and, in his last years, “Papa”. Regardless of the name one referred to him as, all knew him as a man of character, humility, humor, respect, generosity, compassion, and wit. His trademark playful wink will be remembered and sorely missed by all who knew him.

Frank, a class of 1954 graduate of East Hartford High School, had an illustrious 45-year career in the military, retiring as Chief Warrant Officer 4 in the Army National Guard. He loved his hometown of East Hartford, and had great pride in and passion for his birthplace and family homesteads in Eagle Lake and Fort Kent, ME.

Of all the different facets of his life, and titles he held, he took none more seriously and proudly than those of dad to his girls and - especially - grandpa to Tim and Jeff, the two grandsons he adored.

Frank is survived by his daughters Lisa Dion, and husband Michael, of Manchester, CT; Carrie Soucy, and partner Jay Dodd, of Stonington, CT; grandsons Timothy Dion of Albequerque, NM, and Jeffrey Dion of Port St. Lucie, FL; brother J. Gilbert Soucie and wife Joyce, of Old Lyme, CT; so many treasured nieces and nephews; and his devoted caretaker, Beatrice Abrokwa.

He is predeceased by his wife, Priscilla (Stockman) Soucy - the girl he wooed with extra ice cream while working at an ice cream shop when they were both teens, and who went on to become the love of his life and wife of 61 years; along with his parents, Wilbert and Laurette Soucie; sister, Carline Soucie; and very special aunt, Emily Brown.

Calling hours for Frank will be held Friday, September 29, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Benjamin J. Callahan Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, Connecticut 06108. A brief gathering prior to funeral home service will occur Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, Connecticut 06108. A Funeral Home Service (Catholic) will occur Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, Connecticut 06108. A Committal Service will occur Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11:45 AM at Silver Lane Cemetery, 1280 Silver Ln, East Hartford, CT 06118 with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be to the Academy Point Resident Council Activity Fund, to benefit the residents of Academy Point - the community that became like family in the last years of his life. Checks payable to Academy Point, 20 Academy Lane; Mystic, CT 06355, noted for program activities. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CallahanFuneral.com for the Soucy family.