Frank Clark DeCiantis

Powhatan, Va. - Frank Clark DeCiantis, 82, passed away at his home in Powhatan, Va., Dec. 4, 2025.

He is survived by four children: Jonathan DeCiantis (Lauren), Matthew DeCiantis, Helen Cassata (Giuseppe), and F. Clark DeCiantis Jr. (Jennifer); and seven grandchildren: Philip DeCiantis, Catherine DeCiantis, Theodore DeCiantis, Grace Cassata, Sarah Cassata, David Sterling DeCiantis, and Frank Clark DeCiantis III. He is also survived by his brother John DeCiantis. He was predeceased by his parents, A. Frank and Catherine DeCiantis; and his sister Kathe L. Hewes.

Frank was born in Warwick, R.I. He grew up in Pawcatuck, and graduated from Stonington High School in 1960. He attended Georgetown University and earned a bachelor's degree in economics while also serving on the Rifle Team.

Frank was an entrepreneur and ran a successful manufacturing business, Paperades, Inc., providing paper placemats to notable clients such as Pan Am and TWA. Frank also joined the Rhode Island Army National Guard where he served as (SP-4) specialist fourth class and trained with the Special Forces Green Berets. He was honorably discharged Jan. 8, 1972.

His hobbies included hunting, woodworking, enjoying the outdoors, and horseracing. He spent many days in the woods of Maine and Connecticut as an avid deer hunter, and was a member of the Groton Sportsmen's Club. His hard-working hands spent countless hours in his woodshop, building custom furniture for himself, family and friends, and making wooden toys and gifts for his grandchildren. He enjoyed gardening and growing vegetables. He yearned for the spring daffodils, dogwoods, and cherries and the summer's fresh tomatoes. Frank also LOVED the Kentucky Derby and never missed Derby Day. His closest friends and family knew to avoid phone calls on the first Saturday in May.

Frank supported his local community serving on various boards including the Westerly Hospital, the Westerly Library and the Community Chorus of Westerly. In his retirement, he volunteered at the American Cancer Society.

A service to celebrate Frank's life will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at St. Mark's Church in Mystic. Burial will follow at Riverbend Cemetery, Westerly, R.I. For online condolences, please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the V Foundation for cancer research.