Francis G. Handfield Sr

Francis G. Handfield, Sr., of Franklin, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, March 18, 2009, with his family by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on July 1, 1927 in Willimantic CT the son of the late John and Louise (Tessier) Handfield. He was employed at Wright's Tractor Service in Willimantic until 1970 at which time he started and operated Handfield Dairy Equipment until his retirement in 1992. Francis enjoyed spending winters in Holiday, Florida and summers camping in Jamestown, Rhode Island, as well as golfing and visiting with numerous friends and extended family. He was a Charter Member of the Franklin Fire Department and a member of the Franklin Lions Club. He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Edna, his eight children, Francis G. Jr. (Jerry), Olympia, WA, Carol (Handfield) Valone of North Windham, James of North Windham, John of Andover, Philip of Lebanon, Elizabeth (Betty) Kasacek of Scotland, Charles of Cummington, MA and Richard of Franklin; his two step-children, Debra (Starkweather) Beisiegel of Franklin and Mark Starkweather of Gettysburg, PA., his twin sister, Doris Clark and several grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-children, step great-children and his nieces. Francis was pre-deceased by his sister, Helen Deschenes, and brother Robert Handfield. His family will receive friends on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Rte. 195, Willimantic. Funeral services will be Monday at 10:00 a.m. at the Franklin Congregational Church. Burial will follow in the Plains Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Janet Carlson Calvert Library, 5 Tyler Drive, North Franklin CT 06254 or the Franklin Congregational Church Memorial Fund, 31 Meetinghouse Hill Road, North Franklin, CT 06254. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.