Wesley James Francis

Wesley James Francis of Charleston, SC, was unexpectedly taken from us on November 10, 2023, at the young age of 34. Wesley was born on March 13, 1989, and grew up in East Hampton, CT. He graduated from East Hampton High School, where he excelled on the varsity basketball team. He was the son of John Francis (Holiday, FL) and Susan Hopper and the stepson of Chris Hopper (South Glastonbury, CT)

Wes was unabashedly in his element as the compassionate friend, the jokester, the drinking buddy, the brother, the listener, the hugger and most importantly, the forever Momma's boy.

He was committed to making people from all walks of life happy through food and drink. Wes was passionate about his career in hospitality, working in fine dining restaurants in Connecticut, Providence, RI, Nantucket, MA, West Palm Beach, FL Boston, MA and Charleston, SC where he landed in 2020. At the time of his passing , Wes was the lead server at The Tempest in Charleston, SC and had recently started a pop-up venture called Low Country Kine, with Charleston Chef Hayden Riley, serving authentic Hawaiian fare every Sunday night.

Wes had an ease about him that belied his 6'4" frame and made people gravitate to him. The stories of him sparking true friendships with strangers who found themselves sitting at his bar or his table follow him through each of his restaurants.

Wes' gregarious nature and big goofy smile served him well as a seasoned bartender and server, but it was his unbridled love of his friends and family that made him so special. Whether spending quality time with his immediate family a.k.a "Family Shenanigans"; showing his nephews how to vacation while visiting his father in Florida: gathering for Easter at his aunt and uncle's as the only boy among five sisters and cousins; or reveling at Thanksgiving and "OBXmas" with a wider group of "aunts," "uncles," and "cousins" who were not related by blood but who were true family nonetheless; Wes ensured every time was a good time.

Equally important was the time he spent with his friends, who he considered as close and important to him as family. Whether they needed a laugh, a hug, a listening ear, the hard truth, or a pep talk Wes was eager to be that support .

Wes is survived by his mom, dad, stepdad, three sisters, a brother in-law, two young nephews, grandparents, aunts uncles, his much-loved dog, Beau, and about a million friends who all loved him and miss him deeply.

Wes' family invites family and friends to a Celebration of Wes' Extraordinary Life to be held Monday, December 4, 2023, from 4:00-8:00 PM at Warehouse 635, 635 New Park Ave, Unit 2-F West Hartford, CT.

The family asks that you consider donations to a memorial scholarship fund in honor of Wesley for deserving college students who work in the hospitality industry to make ends meet (https://gofund.me/aad7672e), or to Dorchester Paws Community Animal Shelter (www.dorchesterpaws.org).