S.P. "Fuzzy" Francini

FRANCINI S.P. (Fuzzy) Francini, age 94, former president of the P. Francini Construction Co. in Derby, entered into rest in his home in Stratford on February 25, 2010. He is the beloved husband of Doris (Ritsul) Francini for the past 60 years. He has lived in Stratford for the past 35 years, and since his retirement, North Palm Beach, Fla. for the past 25 years. Fuzzy was born in Derby on August 18, 1915, and was the son of the late Pio and Estirina Francini. He grew up in Derby where he graduated Derby High School. Upon graduation, Fuzzy went to night school while working for his father during the days. He eventually grew a small family business into a large mulit-million dollar construction company. Though good at construction, Fuzzys real calling was for real estate, where he developed numerous properties in Shelton and Naples, Fla. In addition to his business prowess, Fuzzy was also a great contributor to his community. He was a director of the former Housatonic Bank, a corporator of the Griffin Hospital and the Hewitt Memorial Hospital. He was a trustee of the St. Vincents Medical Center and member of the Shelton-Derby Rotary Club, the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, the Derby Recreation Camp and Junior Achievement for the Lower Naugatuck Valley. In 1985, Fuzzy was inducted to the Junior Achievements Hall of Fame for his contributions to the community. In 1990, he establishes a nursing endowment at the St. Vincent Medical Center that provided scholarships and grants to the nurses. In 1987, Fuzzy received the first Golden Tee Award from the Cardinal Sheehan Center for his humanitarian work in the area. In his private life, Fuzzy was an avid golfer for more than 50 years. Along the way, he made six holes-in-ones while belonging to Mill River Country Club, Race Brook Country Club, Loxahatchee Country Club, and Old Marsh Country Club. Fuzzy is survived by his sisters, Jen Grande of Shelton, and Dena Copolla of Hawthorn, Fla.; his son, Peter J. Francini of Milford; his grandson, Peter Francini of Brighton, Mass.; granddaughter, Jennifer Francini of Brighton, Mass.; nephews, Thomas Mattutini of Derby, Joseph Francini of San Matteo, Calif., Robert Coppola of Hawthorn, Fla., Robert Grande of Branford and Albert Grande of Waterbury. He was predeceased by his brother, Louis Francini, and sister, Nellie Andreoli. Friends may greet his family on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth Street, Derby. On Monday his funeral pro-cession will leave the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, Derby. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery, Derby. At the request of his family, memorial contributions may be made to the Francini Family Fund at the Valley Community Foundation, 2 Enterprise Drive, Suite 303, Shelton, CT 06484. Leave condolences to Fuzzys family at www.adzimafh.com