Franklin Joseph Celico

Franklin Joseph Celico, 86, of Westerly, passed away peacefully at home on February 27, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Born in Westerly, Frank was the son of the late Pasquale and Annie Celico. He is survived by his wife, Donna; his children Franklin, Timothy, and Amy; daughters-in-law Svetlana and Maura; grandchildren Margret, Timothy, Sam, Christopher, and Sasha; and his brothers and sisters Pat, James, Joseph, Josephine, Carolyn, Ann Marie, Robert, and Brian, along with many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Danny, sisters Maryann and Christina, and brother Mario.

Frank and Donna married in 1964 and would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this July. A lifelong entrepreneur and pillar of the local business community, he first worked alongside his brother Pat at Celico Oil Company and Energy Saver Headquarters. In 1985, he secured a liquor license and established Warehouse Liquors and The Wine Store on Franklin Street, a business he and Donna owned and operated for 40 years before passing it to their son Timothy.

Frank was a loving and attentive husband, father, and brother. He was a generous supporter of countless nonprofit organizations throughout the Westerly community. A dedicated Rotarian who lived by the motto Service Above Self, he served as president of the Westerly Rotary from 2003 to 2004, during which he increased membership and helped establish Rotary Park. He and Donna were named Citizens of the Year in 2004 by the Westerly Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce. Frank took special joy in running the annual Westerly Rotary Golf Tournament to fund local high school scholarships, as well as spending time on the golf course and tennis court, and watching his grandchildren play at Rotary Park. Many in Westerly will remember his happy presence with an unlit cigar in the aisles of the Wine Store, on the golf course, or on the front porch where he and Donna hosted family and friends.