Franklin Joseph "Frank" Celico

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Franklin Joseph Celico, 86, of Westerly passed away peacefully at home on February 27, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Westerly, Frank was the son of the late Pasquale and Annie Celico. Surviving our beloved Frank are his wife, Donna; his children Franklin, Timothy and Amy; daughters-in-law Svetlana and Maura; grandchildren Margret, Timothy, Sam, Christopher and Sasha; brothers and sisters Pat, James, Joseph, Josephine, Carolyn, Ann Marie, Robert and Brian, and many much-loved nieces and nephews. His son Danny, sisters Maryann and Christina, and brother Mario predeceased him.

Despite naysayers in both families at the time of their marriage in 1964, Frank and Donna would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in July.

Frank was a life-long entrepreneur and a pillar of the local business community, first working alongside his brother Pat at Celico Oil Company and Energy Saver Headquarters. In 1985, Frank secured a liquor license and built Warehouse Liquors, The Wine Store on Frankin Street, a business he and Donna owned and operated for 40 years, now safely in the hands of son, Timothy.

Frank was a loving and attentive brother, husband, and father. He was also a generous and tireless promoter of non-profit organizations, too many to name, in the Westerly community. A dedicated Rotarian, Frank lived by the organization's motto-Service Above Self, and he and Donna were named Citizens of the Year in 2004 by the Westerly (Ocean Community) Chamber of Commerce. His own presidency of Westerly Rotary (2003-2004) was marked by the success of his two goals: a substantial increase in Rotary membership and establishment of Rotary Park. Running the annual Westerly Rotary Golf Tournament in support of local high school scholarships was one of Frank's favorite activities, alongside getting out on the golf course himself. Over the decades, many in Westerly observed a happy Frank with an unlit cigar in his mouth in the aisles of the Wine Store, on the tennis court, golf course, or watching one of his grandchildren playing at Rotary Park. He only lit that cigar in his office, his car and when he and Donna hosted family and friends on their front porch.

Rather than visiting hours at this time, there will be a Celebration of Frank's Life for family and friends on Saturday, March 28, from 4pm-6pm at the Carriage House of the Margin Street Inn. Burial is private. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, Westerly is overseeing all arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank's memory to The Rotary Club of Westerly Scholarship Fund (westerlyrotary.org), Stand Up for Animals (standupforanimals.org), or a non-profit of the donor's choice. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com