Suffield Obituary: Francis Sponzo, Sr., 88

Francis “Frank” Joseph Sponzo, Sr., 88, of West Suffield, beloved husband for 31 years of Patricia Sponzo, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, (October 25, 2017) at Hartford Hospital, with his wife, Pat, by his side.

Born in Hartford, April 21, 1929, son of the late Joseph and Rose (DeMilo) Sponzo, he had lived in Windsor, West Hartford, and Simsbury, moving to West Suffield 1 ½ years ago. From his early years helping in the Sponzo Brick Business, to starting Sponzo Oil Company, carrying five gallon cans of Kerosene to the Army housing in Hartford’s South Meadows, he grew the oil company over the years by buying up many smaller oil companies until he had C&S Oil and expanded to Avon with Avon Oil, which was run by Frank, Jr.

As his family grew, so did his business ventures from package stores and apartment units to home construction in Enfield, Windsor, and Bloomfield, adding over 400 units of housing to the area. When he retired from the oil business, he started Sponzo Enterprises with his son, Frank, Jr.

He formed his three other companies, Frank Sponzo & Associates, FS Realty, LLC, and FJS Family, LLC. When he retired last year, Frank, Jr. was made manager and he was proud to see the same hard work, ethics, and acumen passed on to his son. Frank was a strong, determined man, and as his mother often said, “Frankie always makes lemonade when he has a lemon and that glass is always half full.”

His family was of great value to him, and his persistence, vitality, and drive helped him meet any goal he strived for, always looking for a new venture until the very end.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, “Phyllis” Pistritto; brothers, Jim and Mike Sponzo; and nephew, Jimmy Pistritto. Frank leaves his two sons, Frank J. Sponzo, Jr. and his wife Debbie of East Granby; and Tom Sponzo and his wife Jan of Windsor; three daughters, Nancy Murray and her husband Gerry of Leominster, MA, Luanne Woytowick of Bloomfield, and Roseann Civitollo and her husband Joe of Connecticut; ten grandchildren, Jennifer Dyer and her husband Jeff, Tony Sponzo, Stephanie Sponzo, Brett Sponzo, Sean Murray and his wife Michelle, Tim Murray, Kristen McEachern and her husband Don, Kelly Murray, Ana Woytowick, and Bobby Collum; and six great grandchildren, Jeffery, Parker, and newly arrived Charlie Joseph Dyer; Stella and Edward Joseph Murray; and Riley McEachern. Frank also leaves many nieces, nephews; special family friend, Bogusia; his loyal employee and friend, Rod Andrews and his son Mark, who was Frank’s Godson; and his adored and beloved cat, Molly; and dog, Pepper.

Wherever he went, whomever he met, he made an impression on people, always trying to make them laugh. He loved the real estate and construction business, his big yellow toys and red bricks, old Country Western music, playing the harmonica, and his vacation homes in Eden, VT and East Lyme, Black Point, CT.

He loved big family and friends parties and making sure there was always lots of food. He was a tough businessman and a generous friend. We hope there are bulldozers and red bricks, sand to push and load, and holes to dig, and land to grade in heaven. A special thank you to everyone, from valet parking to the nurses and doctors, who were all kind and caring.

His family will receive friends on Thursday, November 2 from 4 PM to 7 PM at Carmon Windsor Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor. Family and friends may gather at 10 AM on Friday, November 3 for a service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Frank may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.