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Ralph DeFrancesco

Ralph DeFrancesco, 92, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at his home with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of 66 years to Marie Cianculli DeFrancesco. Ralph was born in New Haven on Dec. 6, 1931, the son of the late Gaetano DeFrancesco, Carmel Santore DeFrancesco LeClair, and stepson of the late Henry LeClair.

He grew up on Wallace Street and Grand Avenue, New Haven, which was one of the greatest times of his life. He served his country proudly and faithfully in the US Army as a Corporal during the Korean War. Ralph earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the former Quinnipiac College and worked for the UI Company in various positions for over 40 years until his retirement. A real sports enthusiast, Ralph was the past president of the Industrial Sports League for nine years, coached Max Sinoway Baseball and the UI Softball team, was head of the UI Bowling team, winning many championships, and was an avid fan of the NY Yankees, NY Giants, and the UConn basketball program.

He was an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus, the former Council #3300, and a devout parishioner of St. Frances Cabrini Church, North Haven. For 29 years, Ralph, along with his close buddies he grew up with, Victor Florio, Bill Cappella, Ron Capobianco, and the late Dominic Scarano, would get together every Thursday at the Athena Diner, North Haven to reminisce and share stories of days gone by. Ralph was a devoted family man, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, and a true gentleman in every meaning of the word. Always there to lend a helping hand or put a smile on your face with his jokester personality, Ralph had a big heart and truly appreciated people, along with all the little things they did for him. To know him was to love him; he will truly be missed.

He was the father of Lauren Salerno and her husband David M. Salerno Jr. and the late Stephen DeFrancesco; and father-in-law of Paula DeFrancesco; spending countless hours making memories with his pride and joys, he was a loving “Poppy” to David Michael Salerno III, Morgan Salerno and Joseph DeFrancesco; brother of Carmel Proto (Robert) and the late Matilda DeFrancesco. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the doctors, nurses, and staff on the fifth floor at Yale New Hospital for the excellent care, comfort, and heartfelt love they extended to Ralph, especially nurses Lauren, and Maria.

The visiting hours were on Oct. 9 at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Oct. 10 in St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 57 Pond Hill Road, North Haven. Interment with full military honors was celebrated in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org, or the CT Hospice, Inc. www.hospice.com. www.northhavenfuneral.com.