Francis A. Begen

1925 - 2021

Francis A. Begen
July 3, 1925 - October 19, 2021
Francis "Frank" Aloysius Begen, 96, of Rocky Hill, passed away at home on October 19th, 2021. He was the beloved husband of the late Gloria (Meyer) Begen, to whom he was married for 64 years. He was the son of the late John and Helen (Curtin) Begen and was born in the Borough of Queens, in New York City on July 3, 1925. He was predeceased by his only sister Catherine. Frank was a graduate of Bishop Laughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn where he ran track for a very talented and successful Laughlin team. He competed in the national indoor track meet at Madison Square Garden in 1943. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and was accepted into the highly regarded V-12 officers training program. He served during WWII and in June of 1946 was commissioned as an Ensign and earned a BS Degree in Naval Sciences from Tufts University. His career in manufacturing and insurance spanned nearly 50 years and concluded in 1994 when he retired from Aetna Life and Casualty. Job transfers took him, Gloria and family from Queens, to Merrick, Long Island to Stratford, Connecticut and then Rocky Hill where he resided for the past 48 years. Frank loved sports, especially baseball and softball. He was a long time Mets fan. His career as an umpire was long and distinguished and included his induction into the USA Softball of Connecticut Hall of Fame in 1993. He was the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Umpire of the Year in 2002. Frank was well known and highly regarded within this community, having conducted numerous clinics throughout Connecticut during his tenure. He also served as commissioner and secretary for the Independent Board of Umpires of Rocky Hill. In more recent years, he became a member of the German American Club of Stamford through his dear friend and close companion Heide Bergletz. He always spoke fondly of the relationships he built through his association with the members of the club.
Frank is survived by six children, Eileen Jackson and her husband Paul "Jack" of St. Charles, MO, Richard Begen and his wife Linda of Boston, MA, Kenneth Begen and his wife Stephanie of Rocky Hill, Joyce Begen and her husband Rick of Toronto, Canada, Robert Begen of Cromwell and Kathleen Bernardin and her husband Eric of Belchertown, MA. Frank was also blessed with 14 grandchildren, Maureen and Greg Hinkle, Kevin and Jaclyn Jackson, Lauren Begen and Sean Murray, Brady and Keri Hayes, James and Emily Begen, Kyle and Christina Hayes, Jessica and Matt Galica, Brittany and Kelley McManaman, Tyler Begen, Savannah Bernardin, Tanner Begen, Maggie Begen, Fiona Bernardin and Kristopher Begen. His long life provided Frank the chance to delight in 8 great-grandchildren, Holmes, Adilyn, Hallie, Simon, Hadley, Avery, Blake and Eva.
Frank's friends and family will deeply miss him; he will be remembered as a man of unwavering honesty and integrity.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday (October 26th) at D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Words of remembrance will be shared at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday (October 27th) at the funeral chapel. Burial with military honors will follow at the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown.
To leave a message for the family or view the tribute movie, please visit Frank's obituary page at www.desopofuneralchapel.com