Francis R. "Frank" PLONA

PLONA, Francis R. "Frank"


Francis R. "Frank" Plona, 71, of Wethersfield, loving husband of Carol (Beauregard) Plona for 47 years, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday (August 15, 2013) at home. He was born on August 30, 1941 in Worcester, MA and was the son of the late Francis S. and Florence (Karpowich) Plona. He served in the Army National Guard. Frank was a graduate of South High School, Worcester. He attended Boston University and was a graduate of Wentworth Institute, Boston. He was a civil engineer for the State of CT Department of Transportation for 43 years. Frank was a longtime member of UNICO National, Wethersfield Chapter and a former member of the Knights of Columbus. He coached Wethersfield Little League, winning many championships over the years. He was an avid Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics fan and enjoyed boating. He often could be found at the Rocky Hill girls' soccer games, where his granddaughter Stephanie played and where he was affectionately called "Grandpa" by all the girls. When not there, Frank was at the Rocky Hill Youth football games watching his grandson Jonathan play or at the Newington Arena, watching his grandsons Mason and Derek play hockey. He always waited for big hugs from his youngest granddaughter, Whitney. He was part of the "Counter Club" at Mitchell's in Rocky Hill and loved going to breakfast with his friends. He enjoyed getting together with friends for dinner and also his "Couples Gourmet Group." More than anything, Frank loved spending as much time as possible with his grandchildren. Frank was a man of big stature, but his heart was even bigger. He never said goodbye, he always said "Take it easy." He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. In addition to his wife Carol, Frank is survived by his daughter, Michelle Plona and son, Garett Plona and wife Danielle, all of Rocky Hill; five adored grandchildren, Stephanie and Jonathan Cichowicz and Mason, Derek and Whitney Plona, as well as many cousins and a host of dear and close friends. Frank will also be missed by his two granddogs, Tyson and Bella.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect St., Wethersfield. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial will follow in Village Cemetery, Wethersfield with full military honors. Calling hours are Monday from 4-8 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Donations in Frank's memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, P.O. Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06492. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.