[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 14 (Thursday, January 23, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E61-E62]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF GORDON FRASSINELLI, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 23, 2025

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
accomplishments of a long-standing public servant, Gordon John 
Frassinelli, Sr. of Stafford Springs, Connecticut. Aged 88, Gordon 
passed away sadly but peacefully on October 26, 2024, in the arms of 
his loving wife Barbara and surrounded by his family. Gordon led a 
remarkable and full life full of love and dedication to his family and 
community that will be sincerely missed.
  Born October 8, 1936, to Lieutenant Governor Attilio ``Pop'' 
Frassinelli and Mildred (McLagan) Frassinelli in Stafford, Gordon was 
destined to live and thrive in Stafford. Gordon was raised in a close 
family and his father was a strong example of what it means to serve 
one's community. Gordon attended the Borough School prior to his tenure 
at Stafford High School where his strong work ethic and drive to help 
others became evident. In school, he served as a class officer as well 
as a member of the band, chorus, and drama clubs, student council, 
National Honor Society, history club, basketball team manager, and 
president of the ski team. This was only the start of a lifetime of 
community-based involvement.
  Following graduation from Stafford High School in 1954, Gordon 
attended the University of Connecticut where he continued 
overachieving. He served as President of the Newmann Catholic Society, 
played the French horn, served as President of the UConn marching band, 
and was a member of the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC), 
recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate when he completed the 
program. It was during this time that Gordon also fell in love with his 
life partner, Barbara Boone.
  Gordon graduated from UConn in 1958 and was commissioned as a 
lieutenant, serving his country in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961. In 
the Army, Gordon furthered his education at the Adjutant Generals 
School at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana and served on 
the staff of the school until he was discharged as a 1st Lieutenant in 
February 1961. His service in the Army could not keep him from the love 
of his life, and he married Barbara on January 2, 1960.
  Gordon spent the bulk of his career working for the State of 
Connecticut from 1961 to 1992. Rewarded for his diligent work, he rose 
from the position of Trainee to the highest possible merit system 
position of State Executive Budget Officer in the Governor's Office of 
Policy and Management. As part of his work for the state, Gordon served 
as the architect of the state budget, always looking for the best ways 
to serve the people of Connecticut. I got to know Gordon during my time 
as a State Representative from neighboring Vernon and saw firsthand the 
high regard and respect Gordon commanded in both our state's Executive 
Branch of government and Legislative Branch. He was a true professional 
who made our state function well.
  While Gordon selflessly served the state, his top priority always 
remained his family, never missing a game or show for any of his six 
children, and later, his grandchildren. Many of his children also 
became active in local politics, keeping the family tradition alive. 
Raising a group of athletes, Gordon was a strong advocate for athletic 
programs on governing boards and commissions for youth athletics 
including as President of the Stafford High School Booster Club where 
he helped reinstate football at Stafford High School in 1980 after a 
30-year absence. He also spent time as the President of the Stafford 
Olympics Youth Football Program. While Gordon enjoyed the Yankees and 
Celtics, UConn sports had a special place in his heart as a longtime 
season ticket holder for the women's basketball team.
  No matter what beheld him in his personal life, Gordon remained 
devoted to serving his community and enjoying time with his family. 
Gordon was a lifelong member of St. Edward Church, where he was 
baptized and married, volunteering to maintain the grounds, lecture, 
and share his voice as a member of the choir. Gordon also emceed at 
stag parties, fundraisers, and political dinners and spent time as a 
board member of the Italian benefit society, ``the Club.'' Always 
involved in supporting his local community, Gordon was also a member of 
the Stafford Scholarship Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee.
  In his retirement, Gordon settled into his role as a family man, 
helping out with everything from picking up kids and babysitting to 
building a house with his son-in-law. Even after suffering from 
ischemic optic neuropathy in 2001 and becoming legally blind, Gordon

[[Page E62]]

did not let anything stop him from enjoying and going about his daily 
life. Most of all, Gordon was always devoted to his wife Barbara, 
keeping humor and love alive in their relationship.
  Gordon had an incredible sense of humor and was simply an amazing 
reflection of what eastern Connecticut has to offer. His impact will 
not soon be forgotten, and his legacy will live on in the lives he 
touched and the long-lasting effects his work will continue to have on 
the Stafford and greater Connecticut community. Gordon is survived by 
his wife of 64 years, Barbara, his six children, 17 grandchildren, one 
great-grandchild, sister, and many nieces and nephews. To this end, I 
ask that my colleagues in this chamber join me in honoring the example 
left by my friend and colleague Gordon Frassinelli.

                          ____________________