Franklin Breselor

Breselor, Franklin
COHOES - Franklin Kosman Breselor passed away on August 16, 2025, after a valiant struggle with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. He was a beloved husband, father, stepfather, uncle, and a proud PopPop; and lived a long life, surrounded by many colorful characters and friends.
Frank was born in the Bronx on May 8, 1945, to Irving and Shirley Breselor. The Breselor family eventually moved upstate, settling in Colonie, where Frank graduated from Colonie High School and Dartmouth College. After a year or so at Albany Law School, Frank departed on one of his many great adventures, dropping out of school and working in Fla., as a math teacher. Eventually, he returned to Albany, and married his first wife, Patricia Cenci, and graduated from law school in 1974. First child, Suzy arrived soon after, and Sara followed in 1976. The family lived in Averill Park, eventually moving to Crystal Lake in 1984.
In the middle of these adventures, Frank ran Three Rivers Windsurfing, selling equipment and teaching sailing. He could frequently be found having a quick noontime sail on his lunch break, brazenly wearing his shirt and tie and boxer shorts. His love of sailing extended to racing around Crystal Lake in his Laser II, and taking to the high seas on his ocean vessel, The Peregrine. He loved to travel, spending time every summer on Cape Cod in Wellfleet and eventually Eastham, where he and Judy had a home.
Frank met Judy Helwig through mutual friends. In Judy, Frank found a true partner. They wed on February 13, 1999, and spent their time hiking Adirondack peaks, running off to Paris, or simply enjoying an evening at Tanglewood. Judy and Frank loved good wine and great cheese, and were always making exciting travel plans. During Frank's illness, they still managed to enjoy trips to both Barcelona and Paris.
Frank began his legal career at the Office of the Attorney General, where prior to even being admitted to the N.Y. bar, he was sworn in and argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. He went on to work in state government, for public utilities, and SUNY administration, but took a sabbatical to travel to South America for three months. When he returned, he moved into private practice at Bond, Schoneck & King, and Shulman, Howard & McPherson. He also served the Town of Sand Lake as both Town Attorney and Judge, and was a member of the New York State Bar Association and the New York State Magistrates Association. He was instrumental in acquiring the donation of land that became Butler Park in Sand Lake.
Even with all of this, Frank always made time for his friends. He was a member of the Sand Lake Kiwanis organization for over 40 years, where he was known as "the Pretzel." We were never told why.
Frank's terrible jokes and insatiable appetite for learning are desperately missed by his wife, Judith Helwig Breselor; his daughters, Suzanne Breselor Lowell (Neil), Sara Breselor (Carrie Morrison); and stepchildren, Bill Julien (Eileen) and Jenelle Arciniega. He was an adoring PopPop to Sydney Julien, Analise Arciniega, Mackenzie Julien, Isaac Lowell, and Owen Lowell; and beloved Uncle Frink to Abby Logan Harrington (Michael) and Peter Logan. He was predeceased by his parents, Irving and Shirley Kosman Breselor; and his lifelong partner in all manner of crimes, his sister, Marilyn.
In the last year of his life, we were all embraced by the love and compassion of the staff at Peregrine Senior Living and the Eddy Village, in Cohoes. We remain in awe and appreciation of the folks who spend their days caring for elderly patients at the end of their lives. You are the very best of humanity. We also wish to thank the team members from hospice who have helped us navigate the final weeks.
A Service of remembrance will be held Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Henry's Church, 39 Old Rt. 66, Averill Park, 12018. Friends may call Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kiwanis Club of Sand Lake, P.O. Box 535, Sand Lake, N.Y. 12196, or the Crystal Lake Improvement Association (CLIA), P.O. Box 475, Averill Park, N.Y. 12018, would be appreciated.