Frank Taft

TAFT, FRANK W. "BILL" Frank W. "Bill" Taft, 87, from Branford and Clinton passed away on June 3, surrounded by his 4 daughters. Born in Clifton, NJ on Feb 11,1926, to Ethel Yeomans and Francis W. Taft, they moved to CT when Bill was 12. On his 17th birthday he joined the US Navy, WWII, 1943-1946. He was the beloved husband of Theresa "Tessie" Wentsch Taft. He moved his family to Clinton where they lived for 55 years. He lived in Branford most recently at Cedar Woods Retirement Community with his daughter Valerie Harris. Bill worked for the New Haven Railroad. He loved telling jokes at his favorite hangout - Wendy's in Guilford'; "the Shoreline Comedian" loved cheering up fellow patients at dialysis. Survived by his daughters: Valerie, Deborah, Theresa (Tess), Diana, 5 grandchildren: Marty (Debra), Angela, Cathy, Valerie Rose, Theresa, and many great grandchildren. Bill is preceded in death by his beloved wife Tessie, his son Billy and grandson Ben Edmonds, and his siblings: Margaret, Ruth, Helen, and Robert. His family thanks the staff of Avantus Shoreline Dialysis, Branford; Apple Rehab, Guilford, and all his friends at Cedar Woods. His love of country, pride for all Veterans, honesty, kindness and sense of humor endeared him to everyone he met. His lifetime desire to be buried at sea will be fulfilled by the US Navy in Norfolk, VA on a Destroyer. In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate donations toward the transport of his body to the Navy.