Francis Richard Zelesky Jr.

Mr. Francis R. “Fran” Zelesky Jr., 71, of Southbridge MA died Monday (January 13, 2025) at the Hartford Hospital in Hartford CT after being stricken at his residence earlier in the week. He was the beloved husband of Patricia (Pearl) Zelesky.

Fran was born in Worcester MA, the son of the late Francis R. Zelesky and the son of Helen (Lelakis) Zelesky of Brookfield MA. He attended the Millbury Street School in Worcester MA as a young boy, as well as Providence Junior High School in Worcester MA. He was also a graduate of St. Peter’s High School in Worcester MA, Class of 1971.

Fran was a proud graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester MA, Class of 1975, where he married his beloved wife Patty in 1983 and where his son, Kristopher graduated in 2010.

Fran spent his formative years growing up in Worcester MA and was a member of the boys varsity football team at St. Peter’s High School for four years. He had been a resident of Southbridge MA since 1984.

Fran owned & operated his own liquor store in Boylston MA as a young man. He later became a successful liquor salesman working for one of the major liquor distributors throughout New England. But his lifelong dream job was working at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

After his retirement, Fran kept busy transporting special needs children to and from schools across Massachusetts.

Fran was never shy of letting his opinions be known, and he enjoyed time with those he loved the most. Before COVID-19 he enjoyed traveling anywhere and everywhere with his wife and son; vacations, trips to the casino, live concerts and Broadway shows. After COVID-19 those travels were mostly to visit his son Kristopher in New York City, gambling on the NFL, playing video poker and having a bourbon (or two).

Along with his beloved wife of 41 years, he is survived by his son: Kristopher Zelesky of Weehawken NJ and his girlfriend Kimberly Reitano of Brooklyn NY; his mother: Helen (Lelakis) Zelesky of Brookfield MA; his brother: Donald Zelesky of Brookfield MA; his brother-in-law & sister-in-law: Robert Pearl and his wife Dot of Medway MA; his sister-in-law: Rosanne Hickey of Milford MA; his sister-in-law: Michele Pearl of Franklin MA; also many nieces & nephews.

Relatives & friends are invited to attend his Graveside Committal Services on Friday (January 17th) at 2:00PM at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Cedar Street, Milford MA. Visiting hours will be held Friday (January 17th) from 12 NOON to 1:30PM at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA, prior to his Graveside Committal Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hartford Hospital’s Critical Care Unit, c/o Hartford Hospital, 80 Seymour Street, Hartford CT 06102, who tended to Fran’s final days with top notch service and support to his family.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francis Richard Zelesky Jr., please visit our floral store.