George Cerilli, 97, of East Haven, passed away peacefully at home on March 3, surrounded by his family. He was born Dec. 5, 1925, in New Haven, to Dominic and Annamarie (LaPorte) Cerilli.

George is survived by his loving wife of 75 years, Sarah (Nastri) Cerilli; and devoted children, Richard Cerilli (Deborah) of Orange, Robert Cerilli (Vanessa) of North Haven, and Maria DelChiaro (John) of East Haven, along with five grandchildren: Nicole Papadopoulos (Alex), Kristin Zanjani, Robert Cerilli Jr. (Lara), Adam Cerilli, and Victoria DelChiaro. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Bryton Zanjani, Sophia Papadopoulos, Zoe Papadopoulos, Lyla Zanjani, and Vianna Cerilli. He is preceded in death by his parents; and four sisters, Chris, Eleanor, Antoinette, and Pauline.

George loved the outdoors. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, and camping with his family and friends. He was very handy, a man of many crafts who could build or fix anything around his house. As a young boy, George was a registered shoe shine boy on the green in New Haven. He was a former employee of Federal Paperboard Company in New Haven and later retired from Durable Wire in Branford. George was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend.

Family received friends on March 9 at the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. His funeral procession left for a Mass of Christian burial in St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, 80 Taylor Ave., East Haven, with Committal following at All Saints Cemetery in North Haven.