Eleanor “Ellie” Cusano Gambardella, 96, of East Haven, beloved wife of the late James V. Gambardella, Sr., passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Oct. 12 in Apple Rehab Laurel Woods. Ellie was born in New Haven on Jan. 7, 1921, daughter of the late Frank and Julia Longobardi Cusano.

Prior to her retirement Ellie was the owner of Ellie’s Luncheonette in the New Haven area.

She was the loving mother of James V. (Linda) Gambardella, Jr., of Beacon Falls, formerly of North Haven; the grandmother of Lenora (Robert) Lanese and Renee (Jeff) Mauro; and great-grandmother of Shelby and James Lanese and Antonio and Nicholas Mauro. She was the sister of Dorothy Ruocco of East Haven and the late Marjorie Rosarbo and Andrew Cusano.

Her funeral procession left the Porto Funeral Home, East Haven, Oct. 17 for a Mass of Christian burial in Our Lady of Pompeii Church. Interment followed in All Saints Cemetery. Friends called prior to the procession. For an online obituary or to sign Ellie’s guest book, visit www.portofuneralhomes.net.