Frank W. Soucy, 87, a nearly life-long resident of East Hartford, died Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. 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; Carrie Soucy, and partner Jay Dodd, of Stonington; grandsons Timothy Dion of Albequerque, NM, and Jeffrey Dion of Port St. Lucie, FL; brother J. Gilbert Soucie and wife Joyce, of Old Lyme; 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 would become the love of his life and wife of 61 years – his parents, Wilbert and Laurette Soucie; his sister, Carline Soucie; and very special aunt, Emily Brown.

Calling hours for Frank will be Friday, Sept. 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Benjamin J. Callahan Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Avenue. After gathering at the funeral home for a Catholic service from 10 to 11 Saturday, Sept. 30, committal service will be held at 11:45 at Silver Lane Cemetery 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. Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CallahanFuneral.com for the Soucy family.