Frank Colao

Frank Colao, 76, of Plainville passed away peacefully on Friday, December 8, 2023 at Hartford Hospital surrounded by his loved ones. He was the devoted husband and life partner for 52 years of Carolyn (Pacyna) Colao.

Frank was born on September 22, 1947 in Tarrytown, New York son to the late Salvatore and Mary (DeMarco) Colao. He grew up in New York, attended local schools and graduated from Sleepy Hollow High School in Tarrytown. Frank went on to attend CCSU, preparing to become a teacher, however he shifted gears to pursue his calling of becoming a police officer. He went on to complete the police academy and eagerly began his successful career with the New Britain Police Department in 1973. Through the years with the police department, he ran the Explorers program and worked his way up the totem pole, highly respected in his profession. In 1982, he earned the rank of Detective and in 1987 was promoted to acting Detective Sergeant in charge of the Vice Squad and was a hostage negotiator. He retired after 23 dedicated years to the community. Following his retirement from the force, he began a new career as an investigator for the State of Connecticut within the Division of Public Defender Services. He retired for the second time after 23 continued years of dedication to the community.

Frank had a profound love of sports and finding joy in inspiring young athletes, Frank was a former football coach at Plainville High School, committing 11 years to the team and athletes.

Friends, family and colleagues were blessed to be impacted by Frank’s infectious personality and unwavering loyalty. Above all, Frank undoubtingly loved his family deeply, always proud to hold the titles of husband, father and grandfather. Frank was a selfless, passionate, trustworthy and humble man whose hard-working hands are at rest and his dedication to his family and public service will be fondly remembered, cherished and appreciated.

In addition to his wife, Carolyn, Frank is survived by his son, Todd Colao, his daughter, Kim Allen and her husband, Aaron, his grandchildren, Hunter Colao, Hannah Colao, and Ava Allen, his sister, Fran Carlini and her husband, Peter Carlini, his sister-in-law, Beverly Chambrello, and several nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Frank also leaves behind his colleague and longtime friend, Wayne Zalaski. He was predeceased by his brother, Ralph Colao and his wife, Barbara, his sister, Rose Kosilla and her husband, Frank, his brother-in-law, Carmen Chambrello, and his best friend and partner, James Ahern.

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 4 to 7 PM at Plainville Funeral Home, 81 Broad Street, Plainville. Words of remembrance will be shared during the gathering. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 16 at 10 AM at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 94 Broad Street, Plainville. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Plainville. Donations in memory of Frank may be made to American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 (heart.org), or to New Britain Police Athletic League, 544 Osgood Ave, New Britain, Connecticut 06053 (nbpal.org) or to Scoops for Troops in support of the Travis Mills Foundation, 647 Castle Island Road, Mt. Vernon, Maine 04352 (scoopsfortroops.org). For more information or to leave online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.PlainvilleFuneralHome.com.

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