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Francis J. Shanoff Jr.

Francis J. Shanoff Jr., aka Chrzanowski, age 99, of North Branford, beloved husband of the late Anita Rose Falcone Shanoff for nearly 72 years, passed away peacefully at Madison House on April 28. One of the remaining members of the greatest generation, Francis was born in New Haven on Sept. 28, 1923.

In his early years, he attended St. Stanislaus School as Chrzanowski. After 1934, his family moved, and he started public school as Francis J. Shanoff Jr., using his father’s adopted name. He graduated from New Haven High School in 1942. In 1943, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Camp Wheeler in Georgia. After finishing basic infantry, he was assigned to Vanderbilt University under the Army Specialized Training Program to study engineering. After completing his coursework, he became an officer. Before the next semester, he asked for an overseas assignment and was transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to join a new outfit, which was the 552nd F.A. Battalion, a 240mm artillery unit. Six months later, on April 6, 1944, he was aboard the British Liner Aquitania heading for Scotland and then England. His unit eventually landed in Normandy, France, in June of that year. He was engaged in five major battles and was awarded a Silver Star. He was a member of the North Branford Post #8294 VFW, the Battle of the Bulge Association, and Foxhole Scholars. He was awarded the following medals: the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Cold War Victory Commemorative Medal.

When Francis returned to the States, he used his artistic talents as a lettering and logo artist in the emerging commercial airline industry. He then went on to become a fleet mechanic, working on commercial trucks and buses for decades, first employed for 27 years with Good Humor Ice Cream and then Connecticut Transit before his retirement. In his free time, he would always be found working on a home project and spending as much time as he could with his children and grandchildren. His favorite pastime was taking his wife on Sunday drives where they explored all the New England States. He was particularly fond of county fairs, air shows, and museums.

He is survived by his children: Francis J. Shanoff III (Donna) of Killingworth, Cynthia J. Kuziel (Michael) of Zephyrhills, Florida; Dennis J. Shanoff (Susan) of Gilsum, New Hampshire; and Jennifer J. Parolise (Joseph Jr.) of Branford; nine grandchildren: Margaret Whiteman (Kirk), Diana Blair (Brian), both of Killingworth, Francis J. Shanoff IV (Theresa) of Melville, New York; Joseph Kuziel (Erica) and Michelle Montague (Matthew), both of Tampa, Florida; Justine Parolise, Jolee Williams (Mark), John and Joseph Parolise, all of Branford; eight great-grandchildren: Olivia Whiteman, Evelyn Shanoff, Gabriel, Nathaniel, and Amelia Blair, Benjamin and Jacob Kuziel, and Madelyn Montague. He is predeceased by his sister Irene Ciaburro; and brother Robert Shanoff.

Visiting hours were on May 2 at the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford. His funeral left the funeral home on May 3 for a Mass of Christian burial in St. Mary Church (St. John Bosco Parish) in Branford. Burial followed in St. Agnes Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to La Salette Missionary Association, P.O. Box 2965, Attleboro, MA. 02703-0965 or https://lasaletteattleboroshrine.org/give. For directions and an online memorial, see www.wsclancy.com.