Remembering Andy Bissanti

Andrew Mario Bissanti – or just plain Andy -- was a prominent figure in the life of Franklin for many years, and particularly in the political arena over the last decade until his defeat by the Franklin United slate in November.  One of the first leaders to talk about "smart growth" and increasing development density, his passing on Friday, Jan. 7, was a shock to many.

In an email to members of the Franklin Rod & Gun Club, where Andy was a visible and active member, Joe MacDonald wrote, “Some of you may be aware that Andy Bissanti had been in the hospital and very ill. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his illness and passed away last night.

“I met Andy at the club shortly after I joined. I worked Sunday breakfasts with him, initially working as waiters together. He always had a smile on his face no matter the scenario and was always willing to help out. It was his idea of donating food to Gilly’s House in Wrentham.

“Andy was a successful businessman, politician, and proud family man. He was always talking about his family and would share the most recent pictures on his phone any chance he could,” added MacDonald.

“Andy Bissanti and myself were, for many years, together as members of the Franklin Town Council,” noted Judith Pond Pfeffer. “Andy was always involved, always anxious to provide his intelligence, his thoughts, his experience, his opinion and his view; and he was always a gentleman.

“He loved Franklin. He loved being on the Town Council. He always wanted to make a difference. He wanted to make Franklin better. He knew he could make Franklin better by his service on the Franklin Town Council,” Pfeffer wrote.

She said regardless of his own views, he was always interested in the opinion and thought process of whomever he was talking with.

Andy and I were not only friends, but also served on the Franklin Town Council and several other committees together, noted Matt Kelly of Matt Kelly Real Estate and Northeast Property Management.

“Professionally, Andy and I would speak about Real Estate, Appraisals and Franklin almost weekly. For zoning and commercial real estate in Franklin, the Bissanti family has been the go-to name for decades. Andy understood trends and often joked about how Franklin was changing or how he knew three generations of the family that once occupied a home; if you were lucky enough that it wasn’t a cousin by marriage or otherwise.

As a Councilor Andy fought for those less fortunate in Franklin. He was a regular at the senior center, an advocate for the dog park, Gilly’s House and more. Andy fought with passion that is often unseen in this day and age. When asked, he would tell you he did it because it was the right thing to do or because someone needed to step up and help, even if his opinion was the unpopular one.

As the word has spread throughout the community of his passing, what you hear time and time again is, “Anytime I would call Andy for advice or information, he was always there to help.”

A similar sentiment was expressed by Jack Daddario, Jr., at Daddario Hardware on West Central Street. He said he was impressed that Andy always stopped in “to ask my opinion – it seems like he always cared,” he said. “I think he really loved

this town and cared about the people -- and he wasn’t afraid to voice his opinion,” said Daddario. Furthermore, he noted, “when we were involved with a project, he would stop in to make sure things were working out,” Daddario added.

“I respect and honor anyone who is willing to step up to the plate, get into the arena, and work hard to make their community a better place,” said State Representative Jeff Roy. “Andy was that kind of man. I had the pleasure of serving with him on the Town Council and Master Plan Committee and we accomplished a lot together,” he said. “While we may have been on different sides of the political spectrum, I always appreciated his dedication and commitment to Franklin. In our last chat, just before he had taken ill, we talked about grabbing a coffee together. It unfortunately did not happen, but I will cherish the thought. I express my sincere condolences to his family and take comfort knowing that Andy helped make Franklin a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

Current Town Council Chair Tom Mercer, who also served with Andy for a total of eight years on the council, said he will be remembered as a man who had a great passion for the community. “He was always a tremendous advocate for veterans, seniors, and, most importantly, for people in need,” he said.

“We may not always have agreed but I respected his passion.

“I guess it is the little things we will remember – his smiles and laughter – and though it is hard right now, the memories will become the tools to ease the sorrow,” he added.

Former town official and friend, Paul DeBaggis, said simply, “Andy was a man of quintessential determination.”

Indeed, former Planning Board member Joe Halligan, who was also a close friend of Andy’s recalled him for his ability to “stir up controversy,” and get people talking about issues.

Likewise, when he joined the Republican Town Committee, Andy was 100 percent on board, determined to make it an organization that would attract growing numbers of Franklin voters and impatient with those not willing to work as hard as he did to achieve that goal.

But his hopes were cut short. “There are no words to express really how sad it is that we must say good bye to Andy Bissanti," noted Jane Callaway-Tripp, who also fought for a seat on the Town Council in 2021.

“Andy was a very active person in this town and has done some great things for not only the town but also for many people individually,” she said. “I only knew Andy for a short time but the one thing I did see was the love he had for his family, and his dog Brody, and our Town. Everything Andy did was passion-filled: Andy had a lot of energy and it was contagious for many,” said Callaway Tripp.

“Andy will be missed -- this is a sad moment for all. I would like to extend my condolences to his family keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,” she added.

“Andy was not perfect, but then again, none of us are perfect,” said Pfeffer. “He loved his family and would do anything and everything for them. And he did.”

“It is unfortunate that we delay or pause to speak about someone’s qualities until such time that they are no longer with us to hear them,” said Kelly. “Andy always led with his heart first before anything and everything else; whether it was homelessness, the ongoing opioid crisis, animals or his family-- Andy always ensured he fought with his whole heart and without hesitation,” Kelly added.

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Calling hours for Andy will be on Thursday from 4 -8 p.m. in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main Street, Franklin.
Face masks are required at the funeral home and in St. Mary’s Church.

His funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 14 in St. Mary’s Church Franklin at 10:00a.m. The funeral mass will be live streamed at stmarysfranklin.org

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"Andy, may you rest in the sweetest of peace. Fly High you will be forever remembered."– Jane Callaway-Tripp