Francis P. Tatro

Francis P. Tatro died peacefully at his home surrounded by his daughters in a circle of love during the early hours of Wednesday, July 31st. Franny was born in Leominster, MA on November 30, 1937, the eldest son of Bertha and Paul Tatro. 

He is predeceased by his first wife Ann Marie Ricci as well as his second wife Rosemary Louise Scott, his only son Isoac Hawkins, his son-in-law Michael Frisch, and his sister Nancy Cugno. He is survived by his brother George Tatro, (Dorothy) and 7 daughters…Pamela Hawkins Frisch (Rich Percival), Darlene Villalba, Lisa McCarthy (Mark), Shelly Tatro (Bill Clarke), Michele Carlson (Peter), Cindy Richard (Robert) , and Karen Lessard (Steven). He also had 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren who were the light of his life and always brought a smile to their beloved “Pepere.” 

Franny graduated from Leominster High School in 1955 and enlisted in the US Army in 1957. After an honorable discharge, he was a color matcher at Decatone Textiles for 25 years and later worked at Dennison Manufacturing, drove an armored truck for Mass Transport and post retirement, part time for Learned’s Canteen Service. 

An avid outdoorsman, Franny loved to hunt and fish, especially at the hunting camp he built in Vermont, which served as the backdrop for many a great story and memories with family and friends. When not at the camp, he could often be found with a “PBR” at “Pep’s Pub” on Lake Winnekeag, or just sitting on his back deck in Fitchburg watching his “animal kingdom”…it was simple pleasures like these that made him happy.

His greatest pleasure however and his enduring legacy is the loving family he has left behind. If you ever experienced Sunday morning coffee at “Pep’s” - a kitchen overflowing with pure chaos and love, you would agree that he created one of life’s greatest blessings….a family bond that will always be cherished and celebrated by each of us.

While he was never a cat person and actually bred dogs at one point, for some unknown reason, several feral cats found Franny later in life and he gradually became that “crazy cat guy” welcoming them into his home. It is with those feline friends in mind, “Drac, Tigger”, Midnight” and others, that the family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Franny’s memory to “Street Cat Angels” in Fitchburg, www.streetcatangels.org.

There will be a celebration of life for family and close friends at Il Forno restaurant in Lunenburg, at noon on Saturday, August 3.

Services will be private. 

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor, Melissa A. McQuaid, Funeral Directors.