Francis E. (Frank) Cheney, Jr., 76, well known businessman of Derby, VT passed away on February 1, 2024 in Lebanon, NH with his family by his side. He was born on September 4, 1947 in Newport, VT to the late Francis Sr. and Jeannette (Chilafoux) Cheney. On February 17, 1996 he married Donna Ricard who survives him.

Frank was a graduate of Newport High School, class of 1966. In July of 1966 Frank married Barbara (Farrar) Difazio. Together they raised three children Frankie, Christina, and Jessica. They were married for twenty-five years.  Upon graduating from high school he enlisted in the United States Navy and served during Vietnam from 1967-1971. During his time in the Navy he spent thirteen months at sea on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, which he spoke of often. Frank was very proud of his service in the United States Military. After his military service he went on to receive his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. Frank was an owner and administrator, along with Pat Russell, of The Pines Health and Rehab in Lyndonville, Union House Nursing Home in Glover, and Maple Lane Nursing Home in Barton. He thought of his employees as members of his family and would help them in any way he could. During his lifetime Frank enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, golfing, cooking for the family, painting wildlife, coaching sports, and spending time with his family at home and on vacations to places like Walt Disney World, Bald Head Island, NC, British Columbia, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Bermuda, and the Dominican Republic. Frank, with family members and friends went on numerous hunting and fishing trips. Most notably, with his oldest son Frankie Cheney, his father Francis Cheney, Sr, his brother Dana Cheney and his long-time best friend John Stevens to locations such as Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Alabama, and Canada. The Cheney deer camp in Lowell, VT provided decades of hunting memories for Frank and the entire family. He was a former member of the Newport City Council and past president of The American Legion Post 21. Frank had a native heritage which he took much pride in. He was a citizen and Tribal Council member of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation. In past years Frank could be recognized around town by his cowboy hat and boots.

He is survived by his wife Donna Cheney, children Francis E. (Frankie) Cheney III and his wife Rhonda of Newport, VT, Christina Cotnoir and her husband Rene of Derby, VT, Jessica Fontaine and her husband Aaron of Red Lodge, MT, and Jordan Cheney and his wife Naomi of Derby, VT, grandchildren Nathan Cheney of Glover, VT, Abby Giroux and her husband Nick of Derby, VT, Noah Cheney of Holland, VT, Danielle Havens and her husband Jonathan of Essex, VT, Lindsay Saari and her husband Ben of Seattle, WA, Alexander Cotnoir, of Derby, VT, Liddia and Audrey Fontaine, of Red Lodge, MT, and Harrison Cheney, of Derby, VT, and four great grandchildren, brother Dana Cheney and his wife Kathy of Newport, VT, sisters Linda Caron and her husband Alfred of Troy, VT, Mary Poulin of Richford, VT, Bonnie Stone of Irasburg, VT, and Marie Cheney of Newport, VT, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his grandparents Leo and Thelma (Morse) Cheney, Archie and Mary (Johnson) Chilafoux, and his parents Francis Sr. and Jeannette (Chilafoux) Cheney.

Friends may call from 3:00-6:00 P.M. on Friday February 9, 2024 at the Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, 37 Lake Road, Newport. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday February 10, 2024 at the Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, 37 Lake Road Newport, with Father Jim Butts, officiating. Interment will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday May 17, 2024 at St. Mary's Cemetery in Newport with full military honors. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to  the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.