Obituary: Frank J. D’Annolfo, Jr., West Hartford
Frank J. D’Annolfo, Jr. (Coach – Mr. D) of West Hartford died on Aug. 21, 2024.
Courtesy of Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home
Frank J. D’Annolfo, Jr., 92, of West Hartford, passed peacefully on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, surrounded by the love of his family. A kind, humble, gracious man of integrity, Frank was born on September 30, 1931, to Agnes (Hisz) and Frank D’Annolfo, Sr. in Hartford, CT and moved to Jackson Heights, NY at the age of three where his family resided while his dad traveled the country playing trombone in the Big Bands (Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Guy Lombardo). He graduated from Newtown High School in East Elmhurst, Long Island in 1950, attended Wesley Junior College Dover, Delaware in 1952, followed by a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals and invitational workouts with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Since this was wartime, the choice was to stay in school or get drafted; he chose to attend West Virginia Wesleyan where he was an outstanding baseball player and was drafted in the Army immediately following graduation in 1954. Stationed in Fort Gordon, GA, he served as an MP and played on the Post Baseball team his second year. Honorably discharged in 1956, he chose to attend grad school for his Master’s degree at Springfield College in 1958, rather than continue his baseball career. He dedicated his life to working with kids and making a difference. Frank’s “seasons of life” were grounded in being a good person with a kind heart.
Frank is survived by his loving partner in life, Suzi D’Annolfo of 42 years, and his children: Matthew of West Chester, PA, Casey (Sarah) and grandchildren, his captain Oliver, his sweet and strong Georgia, and his little pal Rory, of Andover, MA; daughter, Deborah Almeida of Farmington, CT; son, David (Nichole) and family of Lake Worth, FL; grandsons, Joey (Caitlin) D’Annolfo of West Hartford, CT and Nick D’Annolfo of Simsbury, CT. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Raymond. He leaves behind an extended family of cherished in-laws, nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. He dearly loved his children and was filled with pride and joy as “Poppi” to his grandchildren.
Frank’s next season of life was filled with working with kids during his 30 year teaching career in the West Hartford Public Schools teaching elementary physical education, where he was awarded the Outstanding First Year teacher in West Hartford and affectionately known to his students as “Mr. D”. During the summers, he extended working with children for five years at the Hartford Jewish Community Center and Camp Shalom. In 1966 he moved to Sedgwick Junior High grades 7-9, teaching physical education and coaching soccer, basketball, wrestling and baseball in the then full-athletic program among the four public junior high schools in West Hartford. He also began his 20-year summer tenure of teaching golf at Buena Vista to hundreds of kids and adults. In 1969 he moved to Conard High School serving as Head Coach of Soccer, Ice Hockey and Lacrosse (also coached Track and Wrestling) and was the only male coach to win state championships in two different sports: Soccer in 1970 and Ice Hockey in 1985 and was named Coach of the Year. Well beyond the successes of his teams, Coach D cherished the lifelong relationships with his players and students. As one of the last of the “old coaches” at Conard and Hall, he leaves a strong legacy and endless memories.
Frank retired in 1988 into his next season to be the stay-at-home parent for his then young sons, Matthew (3) and Casey (4). A pioneer “Mr. Mom”, he provided a strong physical presence with his sons as their “room parent at Wolcott School,” coach of their youth league teams, and greatest supporter on the sidelines at Conard. His “home away from home” was Rockledge Golf course, playing golf for over 65 years, developing lifelong friends and relationships. He loyally served the golf community as President of the Men’s Club for three terms.
In his final season of life, he cherished time with his family and his many friends. At the end, he said he had a great journey, a great run. How lucky we were to have him in our lives. Rest in peace to our man of all seasons.
Immense gratitude is given to the McLean Hospice team, especially Cassandra and Judy, and the team at Avon Health Center who were devoted to help “Coach” transition to his destination comfortably and peacefully. “When we lose someone we love, we must learn not to live without them, but to live with the love they left behind.”
Calling hours will be Thursday, (August 29), from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford, followed by a procession and burial service with military honors at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford, with Pastor Dana Hallenbeck officiating. A Celebration of Frank’s Life will follow at Rockledge Grille, West Hartford, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: PMC Dana Farber for cancer research (memo line Team Sandy), c/o Richard Crowe, 31 Pequot Circle, Berlin, CT 06037. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frank, please visit our floral store.
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