Frank S. Gilchrest, Jr., 79, of Old Saybrook, Ct passed away Friday, October 7, 2022 at Hartford Hospital after a long illness. He was born in Worcester, MA and was married to the love of his life, Diane Mercier Langhans Gilchrest. Frank graduated from St. Michael's grammar school, St. Thomas Aquinas High School and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Hartford. Prior to his illness he worked for the Napier Company for 30 years and later founded his own business called the Helping Hand that he primarily served the elderly. He also served as a member of the board of directors at St. Mary's Church of Newington and Our Lady of Calvary Retreat House in Farmington, CT. He and his wife served the Marriage Encounter movement as a team couple in the United States and Europe. Frank and Diane are both Associates of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion. Frank touched many lives over the years by always being available to help another or just to spend time with. He touched many by his fun loving ways, gentleness and generous heart and anyone who met Frank will miss him deedply, but in our heart of hearts we know he is at peace.

Frank will be deeply missed by his children, Deborah M. Simonelli of Colchester, Ct, Michael C. Gilchrest and his wife Erin of Newington and his grandchildren who were the joy of his life; Hayley, Luke and Cassidy Gilchrest of Newington, Abbey Simonelli of Norwich and John Simonelli of Kalamazoo, MIC, He also leaves his brother-in-law Denis Langhans and his wife Susan of Durham and their children Eric of North Carolina and Jenna of New York. Frank was predeceased by his parents Frank and Marie Gilchrest, his daughter Leigh Gilchrest Slobodzian, her husband Mark Slobodzian, former son-in-law Paul Simonelli and his in-laws, Carl and Philomene Langhans.

A Mass of Celebration of Life will be held Friday, October 14, 2022 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick/St. Anthony Parish, 285 Church St., Hartford, CT. Burial will be private at a later date. Relatives and friends may call at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT. Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. To share a memory of Frank, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation or the donors choice.