Frank J. Scopelliti, Jr.

Frank Joseph Scopelliti Jr. passed away peacefully on December 6, 2024 in West Boylston, Massachusetts.

Born in Leominster to Theresa and Frank Joseph Scopelliti Sr. on October 3, 1942, Frank is preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Sandra Scopelliti. He is survived by his four children and their spouses: Ellen Palubeckis (husband Dan), Angela Starr (husband Kevin), Brian Scopelliti (wife Jennifer) and Richard Scopelliti (wife Stephanie). He leaves behind seven grandchildren: Kaden, Lily, Olivia, Brooke, Jack, Clara and Audrey, whom he admired and loved greatly.

He was a graduate of Leominster High School, class of ’60, and Wentworth Institute of Technology, class of ’62. He served six years in the Massachusetts Army National Guard as a corporal. His education allowed him to have a long, successful career in engineering and construction management, putting a life’s worth of work into getting his four children through college and making sure life was as comfortable as possible for his entire family.

Besides being a wonderful father and grandfather, Frank enjoyed being in his train room, tinkering and building precision models, working with his hands to create expansive scenes of towns and country sides of a bygone era. He enjoyed walking the neighborhood with Sandie, connecting with friends and neighbors and sharing stories of his grandchildren. He loved the Yankees almost as much as he loved Corvettes, of which he owned three at various points in his life. But his first ‘Vette he owned in his younger days, a Roman Red on Red 1962 (did you know it was a 327?), was always the one that held a special place in our family. It was the car he reluctantly sold in 1966, using the money to buy an engagement ring. The very ring which he used to propose to Sandra. They married a year later and spent just about every moment together. A great deal by any measure.

Frank was a stoic, hard man to read or figure out, but it was easy to see, particularly when the grandchildren came, that he cared deeply for his family and was relentlessly loyal to them. Even when “challenges” arose with some of his own children (*cough* Brian *cough*) his stern outward approach and demeanor was always betrayed by his inner love and pride in those he cared for. Sandra and Frank loved taking the family on trips to Maine throughout their early marriage and life, a tradition which continues to this day. Those summer vacations in Maine were a mainstay for Sandie and Frank, who loved walking the beaches and going to Dairy Queen for an ice cream, just as they did back when they were a couple of teenagers. He was never without his big, dark sunglasses, hiding his prideful eyes as he carefully watched over the family from afar.

In his later years, Frank acted as the family gossip. As the grandkids would filter in and out for visits at his Appletree home of 58 years, he’d hold court in his chair in the living room absorbing every detail of their lives; the highs, the lows and the in-betweens. He’d openly share these tales with others as they visited, an in person social media grandfather. He was the main connection the family had to each other.

He loved swearing at inanimate objects and making a drama of the smallest of life’s inconveniences but would always follow these quick outbursts with a wry smile or gentle laugh. The joke was on us I suppose. His strength, loyalty, resilience and quiet charm provided his family with the support, caring and memories that his family will be forever grateful for.

The family would like to extend its sincerest thanks to the many friends and the neighbors of Appletree Lane who lent their support through these difficult times, and the professionals who made Frank’s last days so comfortable, including the staff at Oakdale Rehabilitation Center and his hospice team Emma and Christie. He will be missed.

Calling hours are Tuesday, December 10, from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. at Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West St., Leominster, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 A.M. at Holy Family of Nazareth Church, 750 Union St., Leominster. Burial will follow in St. Leo’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Frank’s name to Holy Family of Nazareth Church, 750 Union Street, Leominster Ma. 01453. 

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