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Frank Armata, Jr. Frank Armata, Jr. Frank Armata, Jr.
In Memory of
Frank Joseph  "Gidge"
Armata, Jr.
1929 - 2016
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Obituary for Frank Joseph "Gidge" Armata, Jr.

Frank Joseph  "Gidge"  Armata, Jr.
Frank Joseph Armata, Jr. “Gidge”, 86, beloved husband of Jeanne (Hebert) Armata, of Suffield, passed away at his home on April 9, 2016 surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Born on June 15, 1929, he was the son of the late Frank and Mary (Ondrick) Armata. He grew up in Holyoke and had many fond memoires of his years there including: playing baseball at Crosier Field, being co-captain of the Holyoke High Hockey team, spending weekends at Hampton Ponds, and walking on Northampton Street. In 1971, he moved his family to Suffield where he lived for the rest of his life. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bryant College. Using his business skills he opened many profitable and successful ventures including supermarkets, arcades, a laundromat, a variety store, restaurants, a real estate development company, juice companies and packages stores. He was also proud of the communities where he had his businesses: Longmeadow, Monson, MA and South Windsor, CT.

Gidge loved to travel and see the world, showing his wife and family many wonderful places. He enjoyed driving and would often take his wife, and others, on interesting and far-reaching excursions. He had a passion for working outside and loved trying out his newest piece of equipment. He awaited the promise of spring each year to see how his plants did and what vegetables he would plant. He could often be found helping neighbors and family by either mowing their lawns, removing a tree, or ¬¬making trips to the dump. He loved making jigsaw puzzles, enjoyed good food and was lucky to marry a great cook. Gidge loved life and people. He was always positive, up beat and never without a smile. He was a jokester who came up with clever puns, like to laugh and could tell a funny tale. He always appreciated a good party and got energized when people were around. He was proud of his polish heritage and the friends he made throughout life. He loved playing cards, sports of all types, and you could always count a game to be on the television if you stopped by. He played hockey- a passion he passed on to his grandson, Jack, platform tennis, taught his kids and grandkids golf, and could always be counted on to say yes if asked to a Red Sox game. He was an enthusiastic member of the Fox Hollow Gun Club, Suffield Country Club, and Knights of the Grip, where we was head of their clam bake committee. But he was the most happy when doing anything to do with his grandchildren- from watching their sporting events, seeing their concerts and plays, taking pride in their accomplishments, teaching them to ride a tractor or just spending time with them.

He leaves his wife and best friend of over 62 years, Jeanne – the love of his life (his words); three children of whom he was very proud: Kevin Armata, and his wife, Donna, of Suffield; Barry Armata, and his wife, Cheryl, of Suffield; and Lori Hughes, and her husband, Jeremy, of Wellesley, MA. He is also survived by his siblings, Fran and Jack Fitzgerald, Helen and Neal Harrington, Eleanor Valencia, and Jack and Barbara Armata; and eight grandchildren: Daniel Armata and his wife, Sarah; Peter Armata and his girlfriend Jackie Kelly (who he affectionately called “Sophie”), Paul Armata, Montana Armata, Kyler Armata, Sydney Hughes, Jack Hughes, and the smile of his heart Piper Hughes. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He also will be missed by his wing man Brian Goslee, who he took pleasure in working with every week to make sure the tractors were working, the yard was just right and all Jeanne’s little projects got done- the two of them would always find ways to have adventures, check out a hardware store and sneak a hot dog.

Family and friends are invited to a celebrate his life at a Mass on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 446 Mountain Road, Suffield, CT.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Association, Suffield Ambulance Association or the charity of choice. Heritage Funeral Home, 1240 Mountain Road, West Suffield, has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences please visit: www.SuffieldFuneralHome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frank Joseph "Gidge" Armata, Jr., please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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