FORT ANN – Francis B. “Frank” Wells, lost his battle with cancer on Monday evening in his home, surrounded by family and friends.
Born Francis Byron Wells, on February 5, 1953, in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Wyman Frank Wells and Teresa (Trello) Wells.
Frank was a union carpenter and millwright until 2003, when a heart attack and quadruple bypass disabled him from hard labor. He didn’t let that keep him down though, and change the fighter that he was, he still enjoyed being with his family and friends.
He loved to cook and prided himself in his BBQ ability. From TLS chicken, a recipe he made with his son, to full prime rib, or turkey. Frank also enjoyed shooting pool in Fort Edward at King Smileys. He loved genealogy and spent countless hours researching and finding family all over the place, as well as ancestors he traced back to the early 1600’s. Frank loved to fish from the time he was a kid and would ride his bike all over the country side, to find a spot. When he got older he enjoyed the luxuries of driving there of course, whether it was in his luxury sedans or on a Harley. Frank was also a musician and loved to play the drums, as well as paint and draw.
Besides his parents, Teresa and Wyman, Frank was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth O’Neil, his brother, Joseph Wells, as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Survivors include his wife, Gloria Wells; his son, Paul Wells; his brother, Paul Jon Wells and his companion Jackie Kegan and son Joseph Wells; his sister, Teresa Vierschilling and her husband, Paul and their children; his sister in law, Joyce Grace and her husband, Al, and children; also countless close friends that he valued as family, including his lifelong friend, Herbert “Buddy” Blackmer and his wife, Jean, Scott Baldwin and his wife, Judy, Dennis and Marge Baker, Wayne and Leslie Rizzo, Jean Santoro, Jared Roberts, Joe and Jane Trono and numerous others. It’s impossible to list them all, as he was the kind of person that would meet someone in line at the store and become friends. No one could ask for a better friend in him.
Per Frank’s wishes, there will be no public calling hours.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church, in Hudson Falls, with Rev. Thomas Babiuch, pastor, officiating, and Rev. Rendell Torres, of St. Ann’s Church in Fort Ann, co-officiating.
The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.
There will be a celebration of life party in his name on Sunday, August 10, 2014, from noon on, at his home, 779 Dewey’s Bridge Road, Whitehall, all are welcome to attend.
Donations in memory of Frank can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements are under the care of Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls.