Francis Joseph Sutton

Francis Joseph Sutton (Frank), 85, died peacefully with his loving wife Grace by his side on August 6, 2025, at the Albany Medical Center after a brief illness. Frank was a Longtime and active resident of Manchester Center VT and the owner of Sutton's Place, a guest house started by his family that has operated in Manchester since 1967.

Frank was born on July 19, 1940, in Brooklyn, NY to Frank and Mae (O'Dowd) Sutton, both immigrants from Ireland, and loved his childhood growing up on Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn. He graduated from St. Agnes High School in Manhattan and Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, and was for a time a Marist Brother. Until he left the brotherhood he taught and coached basketball at several NY schools supported by the Marist Brothers (including a short stint in Quebec, Canada): Mount St. Michael's in the Bronx, Archbishop Malloy in Queens and St. Helena's in the Bronx. He also taught at East Rockaway High School before moving to Vermont in 1973, first living in Londonderry and then moving to Manchester Center. Frank's calling to be a teacher continued at Mount Anthony High School in Bennington, Vermont until his retirement in 2006 where he taught French and Spanish and coached basketball.

Most of all Frank will be remembered for his kindness, a warm "Top of the Morning" greeting to all he met, and his love of his family, especially his wife Grace. Frank's warm tenor voice would light up a room and his rendition of many an Irish tune would delight his family and friends. Frank loved Vermont, calling it God's country, and the deep and lasting friendships he made there. He prioritized his Thursday morning breakfast club and Friday luncheons, and his kind smile and good humor will be missed by his many friends and family.

Frank was an avid tennis player and a great traveler throughout his life and particularly enjoyed visits to family in Ballinamore, Ireland and an annual school trip to La Rochelle and the beautiful Mont Saint Michel in France. Frank was an active member of Christ Our Savior, St. Paul Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus where he took special interest in interviewing student applicants for the Knights of Columbus Lenczewski Scholarship. And, of course, Frank believed faithfully that everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, walking the parade route each year from the Manchester Town Hall, down Highland Avenue, and then on to raise a glass at the Irish pub to say Slainte.

Frank is survived by his loving wife Grace (Shehade) Sutton; his sisters Maureen Castellani, Kathleen McNerney, and Adrienne Sutton; and his many devoted nieces, nephews, and cousins in the United States and Ireland. He is predeceased by his parents Frank and Mae Sutton, his brother Kevin Sutton, his brothers-in-law John Castellani and Jerry McNerney, his cousins Delia and Sheila O'Dowd and Tommy Donovan; and his parents-in-law Khalil and Laura Shehade.

Calling hours will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, August 18 at Brewster Funeral Home, 34 Park Pt, Manchester Center, VT. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 19 at Christ Our Savior, St. Paul Catholic Church, 398 Bonnet Street, Manchester Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Manchester Knights of Columbus, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Marist College.