Alexander A. Palluzzi, Sr., died on March 12 at Yale-New Haven Hospital, with his sons by his side. He was the beloved husband of Jeannette Lemley Palluzzi.
Alex was a product of an Italian immigrant family, the son of the late Antonio and Bella Camarota Palluzzi, and was the middle child of four sisters. Alex was a graduate of North Branford High School, Class of 1946. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, serving his country with honor and distinction from 1951 to 1954 as a medical aide and a chaplain assistant. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant and received three battle stars to his credit. He was the 2018 Parade Marshall for the Memorial Day Parade in his hometown of North Branford and followed that up by being the Grand Marshall of Branford’s 2019 Memorial Day Parade. He also received the State of Connecticut Public Service Award in 2010.
He followed in his father’s footsteps at Tilcon & Tomasso Company and had a career that covered 40 years until retiring as the foreman of the asphalt division in 1990. He was the youngest member of the famed North Branford Ancient Fife & Drum Corps for more than 35 years as an accomplished fifer. He was state individual champion in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York and also won numerous awards and medals in competition during his career.
Alex coached all four of his sons in Little League, and he has been attending ball games for his sons and grandchildren for more than 50 years. He was also an avid golfer, with his many friends and family. His service to his community is exemplified as a proud member of the Branford Lions Club for the past 35 years. He is a Melvin Jones Fellow and also received the Humanitarian Service Award, respectively, from the Branford and Connecticut Lions. He was a communicant of St. Mary Church and served as an usher there for many years.
Besides his wife, Alex is survived by his sons, Alex, Jr. (Karen), John “Jake” (Marci), Michael (Terry), and Tony (Tricia) Palluzzi; his grandchildren, Nikki (John), Jennie (Jeff), Michael, Jr., Megan, Dylan (Meghan), Emma, Tess, Jake, Anthony Jr., and Lillian; his great-grandchildren, Theo, Ellie, Evie, and Alexander; and his sisters, Caroline Iovene, Natalie DaCunto, and Lorraine Pyne. He was predeceased by his sister Lena Palluzzi. His family would like to thank his “Angel Nurse” Gina Jennette who took great care of him during his final days.
Visiting hours are Wednesday, March 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford. All social distancing rules to be followed. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday, March 18, at 11 a.m. in St. John Bosco Parish at St. Mary Church, 731 Main Street, Branford. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Branford Lions Club, P.O. Box 406, Branford, CT 06405. For directions and his online memorial, see www.wsclancy.com.
