Franklin A. Beattie

Franklin A. Beattie (“Bud”) age 103 passed away peacefully in Bridgeport Hospital on March 22, 2023.  He was born in Stratford, CT on December 1, 1919. 

Franklin was the beloved husband of the late Marjorie Anton Beattie with whom he was married to for 64 years.  Franklin is survived by his son Wayne and wife Peg of Orange, daughter Diane Gesseck and husband Bob of Derby, 2 grandchildren Kevin Gesseck and Cindy Bowen and husband Bill, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Warren and Bertha (Laborie) Beattie, brothers Ellsworth, Hugh, Harold and sister Charlotte Nesteriak.   

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1944 as a Private First Class and then a Machine Gun Crewman.  He served in the Asiatic Pacific Area and participated in action against the enemy at Iwo Jima in 1945 spending 26 days in action on the island and was honorably discharged in 1946. 

He worked as a sheet metal fabricator and welder for U.S. Baird for 35+ years.  In his retirement years, he loved to tinker and whenever he built something, it was built to last.  He enjoyed many camping trips to Vermont with his family.  He belonged to the Iwo Jima Survivors Association and participated in many events at the Iwo Jima Memorial in New Britain CT as well as traveled to Hawaii and Virginia with the survivors. Fiercely patriotic, he never missed an opportunity to display or salute the American Flag.

He lived an incredible life and always kept busy whether it was his love for fishing on Long Island Sound, tending to his wonderful vegetable garden, restoring 5 antique Beaver garden tractors, helping his son build an airplane and 2 sailboats and of course was an avid animal lover be it ferrets, cats, baby squirrels, chickens, rabbits, taking many orphans under his gentle care.  He will always be remembered for his wry sense of humor and perfect timing.  Rest in peace, Dad – Semper Fi.

Graveside services with Full Military Honors will be held Tuesday at 12 noon in Huntington Lawn Cemetery, Lane Street, Shelton. Friends may call Tuesday morning 10:00am – 11:30am in the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull.

Contributions to World War II Legacy Foundation, Inc. c/o Gary Roy, 61 Matthew Road, East Hartford, CT 06108. Visit www.ww2LegacyFoundation.org website for info. To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com