Francis A. "Frank" Kessler

Francis A. 'Frank' Kessler, 80, of the Broad Brook section of East Windsor, loving husband for 55 years to Helen (Gworek) Kessler, died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at Rockville General Hospital.

Frank was born in Hartford, son of the late Walter and Stephania (Nagy) Kessler, and lived in Broad Brook all of his life. He graduated from Ellsworth High School and served in the U.S. Army. Frank had worked for Met Life and later at Chester's Package Store. Frank enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting, playing cards, and University of Connecticut basketball.

In addition to his wife, Helen, Frank is survived by his children, Donna Kessler, Dianne Kessler-Hartnett and husband, Bill, Denise Kessler-Fogil and husband, Mark, David Kessler and wife, Sherry, Donald Kessler and wife, Cathy, Patti LeFebvre and husband, Steven, Bill Kessler and wife, Nancy, Carol Sauerhoefer and husband, Joe, and Norine Auretta and husband, Damon; his grandchildren, Alicia, Nick, Stephen, Joel, Timmy, Abby, Megan, Molly, Michael, Darcy, Andrew, Ali, Danny, Kyle, Jenna, Travis, and Nicole; a sister, Alice Kessler; three sisters-in-law, Lucille, Helen, and Barbara, and many nieces and nephews. Frank was predeceased by three brothers, Walter F. Kessler, Kenneth Kessler, and Leonard Kessler.

A funeral service will begin Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 9 a.m. from the Bassinger & Dowd Funeral Home, 27 Gardner St., East Windsor, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Catherine Church, Broad Brook. Burial will follow in St. Catherine Cemetery.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Catherine Church, P.O Box 359, Broad Brook CT 06016