John Dominico Sciarra, 87, of Branford, died Aug. 28 in Branford Hills Health Care Center after a long illness. He was the husband of Helen Stegina Sciarra for 63 years.

John leaves three children, Paul (Linda) Sciarra of Guilford, Deborah (Robert) Paterson of Glastonbury, and Susan (George) Noonan of Sarasota, Florida; and four grandchildren, Kristianna Sciarra, and Colin, Emily, and Sarah Paterson.

John was born Oct. 29, 1926, in New Haven, son of the late Felix and Minnie Monaco Sciarra. He was a World War II veteran of the USMC. John was employed by SNET for 43 years and retired as a business accounting manager.

John was very active in St. Mary Church in Branford, serving as a trustee for 25 years and business manager for 15 years. He was also a member and past president of the Holy Name Society; and past president of the St. Mary Parish Council, and the St. Mary School and Church building committees. He and Helen were cochairmen of the St. Mary CANA Committee for 15 years. John was also the first recipient of the annual St. Joseph Arch-Diocesan Medal of Appreciation.

He was also active civically, serving on the RTM, the Economic Development Commission, the Education and Rules Committees, and the Republican Town Committee. He was also recently a volunteer for the Branford Food Pantry. He was a member of the Italian-American Club, American Legion Post 83, the Telephone Pioneers, the Knights of Columbus, Eldorado Council #10, and the Owenego Beach and Tennis Club in Branford.

Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian burial Aug. 30 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary Church. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery. There are no calling hours. The W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main St., Branford, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, or to ORTV (Office of Radio and Television, Archdiocese of Hartford), 15 Peach Orchard Rd., Prospect, CT 06712-1052. For directions and an online memorial, please visit www.wsclancy.com.