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Alfred Giordano

Alfred “Babe” Giordano, 99, of Branford, passed away on Oct. 13, 2024, just shy of his 100th birthday, at home with his loving family. He was born to the late Domenico and Anna (Tamaro) Giordano in Branford on Nov. 11, 1924. He was the youngest of ten children, one sister and eight brothers, who are all deceased: Louise, Frank, Thomas, Joseph, John, Michael, Domenic, George, and Anthony. He is survived by his wife, Florence “Dolly” Collette Giordano. He is also survived by his children: Germaine (Joseph) Mathis, Lisa (Daniel) Aloi Fiasconaro, Nancy (Frederick) Conner and Paul Giordano, and stepdaughter Barbara Mooney Defazio. He leaves behind his loving grandchildren: Melissa Coppola, Rachel Aloi, Peter Aloi, Donna Armstrong Irzyk, Steffen Armstrong, Brittney Gagnon, Gabrielle White, Val White Jr., Mark Giordano, Anthony Giordano, Paul Giordano Jr., Avery Hansen, and Kaydi Defazio Matrisciano; and 18 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Beatrice Gargamelli Giordano; his son, Mark Giordano; his daughter, Beatrice Giordano; and his son-in-law, Pasquale (Pat) Aloi.

Babe was a graduate of Branford High School, Class of ‘42. He served four years in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps, becoming a staff sergeant by the early age of 20. He trained and taught small arms repair up to the .50 caliber machine gun and magnetic mine theory. After serving in World War II, he attended Milford Prep in Connecticut on a GI Bill, earning an associate’s degree in civil engineering. He also completed a semester at Syracuse University for Industrial Engineering but left Syracuse to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming an excavator operator. He was a well-known, self-employed owner of an excavation business in Branford, servicing local builders and residents up until his retirement in 1986.

Babe was very active in his church organizations, Legion of Mary and Knights of Columbus, being a fourth-degree Grand Knight. He was also a commentator and usher at weekly Mass. He was passionate, knowledgeable, and meticulous about his vegetable garden, including canning homemade tomato sauce in late August every year. He enjoyed his trips to the casino with his children and grandchildren, spending his winters in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife Dolly, and always looking forward to his family visiting him in Tucson. His love for cooking and family gatherings was immeasurable. He was also the master of preparing Porchetta dinners at the local Branford Italian American Club and Knights of Columbus. Most of all, he was committed as a parent to the responsibility of raising his family with love, good morals, and principles.

Friends and family were invited to a Mass of Christian burial on Oct. 17 at St. Mary Church of St. John Bosco Parish in Branford. Burial followed at St. Agnes Cemetery in Branford. There were no calling hours. Please see his online memorial @ www.wsclancy.com.