Frank Joseph Billeci of Wallingford, Connecticut, formerly of Southampton, died at home on August 25. He was 64 and he died of cancer.
Mr. Billeci was born September 29, 1950, in Brooklyn. When he was a child, he and his family spent their summers in Southampton Shores. After graduation, he moved full-time to Southampton, where he lived and worked for almost 40 years.
Survivors said he was a true craftsman and took pride in his work as a carpenter. He spent many years running his own construction businesses and then working as a general contractor. When the construction market became mostly stagnant, he moved to Connecticut for work, but mainly to be closer to his three grandsons, whom he called “the boys.” His grandsons, Tyler, Joshua and Cameron Gratton, knew him as “PooPa,” and they enjoyed their time with him, especially breakfast at a local IHop, checking in at job sites, or working in their grandfather’s shop, where they might build Pinewood Derby cars that are now treasured keepsakes.
Aside from being the go-to “Mr. Fix-It” for everyone, especially his daughter, Mr. Billeci had many interests. He was an avid reader of all genres, particularly old westerns. He regularly visited the local library and never left with fewer than three books. He enjoyed spending his weekends with those he loved exploring museums, car shows, different towns, restaurants, going to the movies, just relaxing and watching TV and getting the best deals at tag and yard sales. Survivors said he was a sponge for knowledge and loved to share stories about his work, life and family. They said he looked forward to summer trips to Martha’s Vineyard and was ecstatic to finally make it to Tucson, Arizona, this summer.
He volunteered on several Habitat homes in Connecticut and he believed in Habitat’s mission statement, “A world where everyone has a decent place to live.”
Mr. Billeci embraced his recent retirement and cherished his many adventures, survivors said.
In addition to his grandsons, he is survived by a son, Christopher Billeci of Bayshore; a daughter, Joanna “Jody” Gratton of Wallingford; Adam Gratton of Wallingford, who was like a son to Mr. Billeci; a sister, Nancy Billeci and her partner Kate of Tucson; sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and Larry Steck of North Carolina, and their daughter, Samantha Steck of New York City; and a brother, Michael Billeci of New York. He is also survived by Colleen K. Cardinal of Connecticut and her family and friends, with whom he felt at home. Mr. Billeci was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Natalie Billeci.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home in Wallingford. Interment will be private and at a later date. Condolence messages may be left at www.bcbailey.com.
Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Middlesex, Connecticut, www.habitatmiddlesex.org.
on Sep 10, 2015