Obituary of Francis A. Gremmo

Francis “Fran, Franny” Gremmo, 80, of Boise, ID, passed away on Wednesday August 23, 2023 after a very long and hard fight with cancer, his family at his side.

Fran was born in Manchester, Connecticut on April 5, 1943 and lived in Manchester for 60 years before moving to Boise, Idaho. Fran welcomed his first two children, Julie & Karin with his first wife Carole (Brown) Atkins in Manchester. He then married Nancy (Barney) Gremmo October 4, 1969. He later married Marcia (Ryan) Gremmo, on January 11, 2002, and moved to Boise, Idaho where they resided until his passing.

Franny was a long-time resident of Manchester. He began his working career at his grandfather’s grocery market on Spruce Street, then later moved to East Middle Turnpike where his father and grandfather began a fruit stand, The Farmers Market. In 1967 it transitioned to Gremmo & Son Sales, which he co-owned with his father, Felix. The business sold new & used restaurant equipment and supplies until he and his father retired in 2000. He was very proud of his hometown and was an active member in the community. He was a volunteer fireman in Manchester, with Company 3, for several years and volunteered for the Manchester Road Race, where he’d watch his father and son Eric, run the race.

What Franny enjoyed most was spending time with his family and cooking, especially his “Sunday Sauce”! He loved gardening and it showed in his very large garden in Manchester and in his beautiful backyard he shared with Marcia in Idaho. He also had a love of fishing from the time he was a child and showed his children and grandchildren how to fish. He spent numerous hours on his canoe with Marcia on the lakes and reservoirs in Idaho. And let’s not forget his love for the Boston Red Sox…a lifelong fan! Another passion of Fran’s was bowling. He was active on many leagues with his longtime friend Carl Patavina. The relationships he created in his business influenced him over the years, in regard to some of his favorite restaurants. Some of which were Deci’s, Shady Glen, Iuliano’s Bakery, Acadia, Cavey’s, Nulli’s, CJs and P&L to name a few.

Fran is survived by his wife of 21 years, Marcia (Ryan) Gremmo, his four children, Julie (Marc) Novitch of Hooksett, NH, Karin (Michael) Caicedo of Boise, ID, Eric (Lindsey) Gremmo of Nampa, ID and Jillian (Will) Fra of Meridian, ID, step-daughter Jenn (Seth) Withers of Plymouth, MA. He had 7 grandchildren, Justin (Alyssa) Novitch, Aaron (Jessica) Novitch, Chase Novitch, Gianna (Justin) Brown, Christian (Marti) Caicedo, Lily and Emma Fra and two step-grandchildren; Bernie and Charlie Bachman. He also had 3 great-grandchildren; Giannah Michelson, Adrienne Novitch and Emma Novitch. He is also survived by three of his late wife’s siblings who were very dear to him, Dean Barney, Bristol, CT, Lisa (Sam) Faraclas, Bristol, CT and Ed (Selena) Barney, Wilmington, NC, and his beloved Pug, Marty.

He was predeceased in death by his mother Johanna (Gentilcore) Gremmo, his wife Nancy (Barney) Gremmo and his father, Felix Gremmo as well as his late wife’s siblings Rhonda (Barney) Pagani and Joe Barney.
He was so loved and will be missed by his large extended family and so many friends in Connecticut and Idaho.

The funeral service will be held at John F. Tierney Funeral Home at 219 West Center Street, Manchester, CT 06040 on Thursday September 14, 2023, between 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow the funeral at East Cemetery, Manchester, CT. We will have a Celebration of Life for Fran at the Army Navy Club in Manchester following the burial. For online condolences, please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.

As Fran was always over the top, you are welcome to come dressed in your favorite Red Sox attire or a swanky Hawaiian shirt!

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.