George Isador Ranalli

George Isador Ranalli died peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Monday morning, January 2, 2023. He was born September 24, 1928, to Venanzio and Sebastiana Almonde Ranalli in Branford. He was married to the late Antoinette Landino Ranalli.

He proudly served his country in C Battery of the 70th AAA Battalion during the Korean War. Prior to the war, he served in the Connecticut State Militia at 16 and in the Connecticut National Guard at 18, when it was first formed.

After the war, he operated Branford Auto Body, Inc., on Main Street in Branford for more than 20 years where he proudly contributed to his hometown in various ways, including allowing local children to paint the windows of his shop every year for the Annual Halloween contest. He later operated Freedom Auto Center, Inc., on Leetes Island Road in Stony Creek. During the course of his career, George repaired cars from all of the 50 states and Canada. He also assembled and restored a 1929 Model A Ford with a rumble seat, from scratch with no instructions, at its owner’s request. He was a respected member of the Auto Body Association of Connecticut and an avid bowler whose team won several tournaments.

George is survived by his daughter, Carol Morgan of Los Angeles, CA, his sons George Gerard ( Jeanne) of North Haven, Andrew of Portland, OR, and his youngest brother, Frank (Anne) of Branford. He had 11 nieces and nephews and several grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Vito and Daniel, and his sisters, Josephine Cinquanta, Clara Cinquanta, and Helen “Dolly” Allen.

There were no calling hours. A Mass of Catholic Burial was held Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Church on Taylor Avenue in East Haven. George received a burial with Military Honors and was interred at All Saints Cemetery in North Haven.

Please make any memorial contributions to one of George’s favorite charities: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, St. Joseph’s Indian School, Little Sisters of the Poor, or St. Anthony’s Guild.

Good Night, Sweet Prince.