WESTFIELD – 
Francis (Fran) Richard Slasinski, 78, (1941-2020) a lifelong resident of Westfield, MA, lost his courageous battle with COVID19 on April 20, 2020. He graduated from Westfield Trade School, began college at age 16 and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Western New England College. He worked as a product designer at Advance Manufacturing for almost 50 years. Fran spent countless hours with his children and grandchildren at baseball and soccer games, dance competitions and scouting events. For many years he enjoyed all-day dirt bike rides with the Knox Trail Riders and enjoyed snowmobiling and ATVing with extended family. Fran was a member of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. He enjoyed many trips to Mohegan Sun Casino and Saratoga with his wife, Rita. His true passion was…FISHING!!! This showed through ice fishing, fly-fishing and carp fishing with family and friends. He enjoyed many local spots as well as the Seneca River, the Hudson River, the Hoosic River, the Tomhannock Reservoir and the St. Lawrence River. Fran even fished while visiting relatives in Texas. He volunteered at local tournaments and was a part of The Carp Anglers Group. Fran belonged to the local Lake George Sportman’s Club, was the treasurer for many years and enjoyed spending time with many friends there. He also passed on his knowledge and inspired many others to enjoy fishing, too. Fran will be dearly missed by his high school sweetheart and bride of 61 years, Rita May (Lafreniere) Slasinski. His three daughters and their families will also miss him. Daughter Brenda (Slasinski) Kantor and husband Bryan and grandchildren Rachael, Nathan and Noah; daughter Vicki (Slasinski) Marcoux and husband Rich; and daughter Jami (Slasinski) Thomas and husband Ed and granddaughter Samantha and her husband Granit. Fran is also survived by a sister Evelyn, a sister-in-law Judy Campbell, brother-in-law Kenny Lafreniere and his wife Kathy and many nieces and nephews.
The entire family would like to send their sincere appreciation to the COVID ICU Team at Baystate Medical Center. Their care and compassion meant so much to the family. A celebration of Fran’s life will be held at a future time, when friends and family can gather. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on behalf of Fran to: Lake George Sportman’s Club, 427 North Loomis St., Southwick, MA.
