Francis Hotelling Jr.

Niantic — Francis Laverne Hotelling Jr., 91, of Niantic, passed away peacefully in his home March 9, 2024. Francis was born April 1, 1932, in Union Springs, N.Y., the son of Francis Hotelling Sr. and Kathleen Wood Hotelling.

When he was a young man, Francis enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He fought as a staff sergeant in the Korean War in the Chosin Reservoir Campaign with the 1st Marine Division. Francis was very proud of being a Marine. After the war, Francis worked in communication in Europe. When he left the military, Francis was a security guard at the NASA space center in Florida. Francis settled in Connecticut, where he worked for 13 years at the American Indian goods store in the Mohegan Sun until his retirement. Francis was an advocate for the American Indian.

Francis met his present wife, Laura Sabilia-Hotelling, while working together at Walmart in Groton. They were married March 3, 1999. They moved to Niantic, where they presently lived.

Francis was a caring, gentle man. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchild. Francis was a big baseball fan, with his favorite team being the Baltimore Orioles. He loved to watch history shows on television. Francis was very fond of watching the birds in his backyard.

Francis is survived by his loving wife Laura Sabilia-Hotelling. He is survived by his children, Jamie and Marge Hotelling of Genoa, N.Y., Steven Charles Hotelling of Auburn, N.Y., Francis Hotelling III of Rio Rando, N.M., and Stephanie Hotelling of Lakeside Park, Ky. Francis is survived by loving stepchildren, Mark and Jamie Sabilia of Waterford, Kim and Chris Gearing of Old Lyme, Nick and Erin Sabilia of Niantic, and Andrea Kelly of Salem. Francis is also survived by 24 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 16, at Neilan Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic. A funeral home service will follow. Interment will be at St. Mary Cemetery, Jefferson Ave., New London. To share a memory or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www. neilanfuneralhome.com.