Obituary of Francis L. Carrano
Francis Louis "Frank" Carrano, Sr. age 81, beloved husband of 57 years to Ann Mennillo Carrano of Bridgeport, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2005. He was born in Trumbull on March 12, 1924 to Antonio and Margaret DiPalma Carrano. Part of our country's "greatest generation," he served his nation faithfully in the U. S. Marine Corps in Panama during World War II. After the war, he spent his years raising a small family as a doting and loving father; providing for them in the trade as a Journeyman Electrician. As such, Frank was a member of IBEW Local Union 488 for over 55 years and was a member of the IBEW Old TImers Club. He was a devout Catholic and lifelong member of the Lake Forest Association, taking an active part in the community where he built a home for his new family with his own hands out of the Bridgeport wilderness some 54 years ago. In that tight-knit community between the pond and the lake he was known as a kind and gentle man with never an unkind word for anyone--a friendly and benevolent neighbor with an inexhaustible supply of goodwill and cheer for all. He will always be remembered for his humor as an incessant jokester--always having a joke in his pocket to share with whomever he might meet. He was an indefatigable do-it-yourselfer; a hard working and patriotic Italian-American with a love for John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, bowling and that lost tradition of the neighborly "shot and a beer."
He was predeceased by his brothers, Joseph, Leo, Nicholas and Anthony; and sisters, Rose Falco, Mary Chieffe and Esther Beaudry. He was also predeceased by his beloved and overgrown cat "Tiger," who Frank spoiled by carrying him around the garden and house even when it was hard enough for Frank to move around himself.
He is survived and sadly missed by his devoted wife, Ann Mennillo Carrano, a daughter, Joanne Marie Carrano Rodgerson and his son-in-law Donald, of Easton; a son, Frank Carrano, Jr. and his daughter-in-law Lisa, of Trumbull; seven grandchildren: Keith, Kerry, Kris and Jason Rodgerson; Ashley, Brett and Alexandria Carrano, and one great-grandchild, Jesse Edward Rodgerson; a sister, Jennie Papa, and her husband Domenick, of Lake Worth, Florida; a sister-in-law, Ange Zelle, of Monroe; brother-in-law Louis Mennillo of Bridgeport; brother-in-law Joseph and sister-in-law Margaret Sullivano, of Trumbull, and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 9:30 a.m. in St. Andrew Church, 435 Anton Street, Bridgeport for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with military honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 607 Main Ave., Norwalk, CT 06851.