Meredith, NH – Francis Xavier Hett, 88, died on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at Golden View Health Care Center in Meredith, New Hampshire.
Frank, the son of James and Irene (Bates) Hett, was raised in Darien, Connecticut where he met and married his wife of 52 years, Antoinette (Ippolito) Hett.
Frank served in the U. S. Army during WWII, earning a Purple Heart after four years of active duty in Northern Italy. Upon returning home, he went to work as a milkman for Sheffield Farms in Connecticut, delivering milk to such celebrities as Mary Martin, Inzio Pinza, Jackie Robinson, and Marilyn Monroe. He then spent many years as an employee of Pitney Bowes, from which he eventually retired as a Time Study Engineer.
Having spent several summers vacationing in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, he relocated there with his wife and operated two businesses in the town of Laconia; North Country Deli and Francis X. Hett Real Estate.
Upon retiring, he and Anne moved to Vero Beach, Florida where Frank continued his real estate career part time before eventually working for Indian River Sheriff’s Department as a school crossing guard. He was well liked by the families and community he so proudly served.
Known for the twinkle in his piercing, light blue eyes, Francis was a people magnet, embraced by so many, everywhere he lived. An active member of the community, he was President of The Gunstock Acres Association in Gilford, New Hampshire and was a faithful member of St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach, Florida.
Frank recently moved back to New Hampshire, a place that was always very close to his heart. He adored his family, always living close by to his daughter and son-in-law and doting on his four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His family greatly appreciates the staff of Golden View Health Center for their care and kindness.
Frank is survived by his brother, Charles J. Hett and his wife Harriet, of Darien, Connecticut; his daughter, Judith (Hett) Blake and her husband, Ronald, of Meredith; his grandchildren, Erik Blake and wife, Marla, and their children Sydney and Andrew Blake, of Vero Beach, Florida; Melissa Blake and husband, Roberto Orci, of Los Angeles, California; Joy Blake and husband, Matthew Meduri, and their children, Luella and Penelope Meduri of Los Angeles, California; Jessica (Blake) Rooney and husband, Jason Rooney, and their children, Alexander, Nathaniel, and Sawyer Rooney of Wrangell, Alaska; sisters-in-law, Helen (Ippolito) Ferrara of Vero Beach, Florida and Miriam Hett, of Darien, Connecticut; brother-in-law, Elwood Phillips of Los Angeles, California; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his loving wife, Antoinette (Ippolito) Hett, and his siblings, Helen (Hett) Lapolla and James Hett.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 21, 2010 from 6:00-7:30PM at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH. using the Carriage House entrance.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 12:30PM at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 300 NH Rt 25, Meredith, NH.
Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Meredith Center Road, Meredith.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N. H. is in charge of the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com