CLIFTON PARK — Francis “Red” Bessette, 73, formerly of Saratoga Springs, entered into the arms of the Lord on Monday, March 17, after a brief illness, surrounded by family and friends at Albany Medical Center.
Born on June 15, 1940 in Whitehall, he was the son of the late Margaret V. Bessette and Francis Rouse. Francis proudly served in the U.S. Marines from 1960-1967. While serving in the Marines he did active duty in Vietnam.
He was employed by Saratoga Springs DPW before retiring in 2000. He also worked at Saratoga Harness Track doing security. Red loved fishing and enjoyed playing Yahtzee in his spare time. He would often be found at most of the Saratoga High School football games on the weekends. Red was that man that would lend a hand to anyone in need, no matter what the need was he gave his all. He loved his family deeply and did all he could to make them strong and loving. He will be greatly missed by all.
In addition to his mother and father, Red is predeceased by a brother, Francis “Jake” O’Melia, and a sister, Peggy Roarick.
Survivors include his wife, Penny L. Bessette of Clifton Park; his children, Chris L. Shipley of Glens Falls, Anthony T. Bessette of Saratoga Springs, Jocelyn J.
(Johnson) Milne of Anchorage, Alaska, Jamie L. and CJ Bessette of Saratoga Springs; 11 grandchildren and another one expected in August; one great-granddaughter and another one expected in July. He is also survived by a brother George E. Woodard of Albuquerque, New Mexico and many nieces and nephews located in New York, New Mexico, Colorado, Virginia and Texas.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com
