Obituary: Michael A. Crisafi, 93, of North Branford

Information and photo via PORTO FUNERAL HOME

Michael A. Crisafi, 93, of North Branford beloved husband of the late Ann Maggiore Crisafi passed away October 24, 2018 in Yale New Haven Hospital. Loving father of Lorina (David) Cash of Newtown, Michael L.(Cheryl) Crisafi of Hampden, MA and Mary Grace Crisafi of Hamden.

Caring grandfather of Michael and Rebecca Cash, Jana and Sara Crisafi, Olivia and Stephanie Opal, Kellie and Samantha Mason. Michael was born in New Haven on January 1, 1925 a son of the late Michael and Beatrice Cermola Crisafi. Brother of Sebastian Crisafi of Branford and the late Rosalie Musco, Alice Anderson, Roland and Pasquale Crisafi. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Since 1960, Mike had been a dedicated communicant of St. Augustine’s parish. He spent a majority of his life giving back to charities through participation in food drives and cooking meals for seniors.

Following decades devoted to volunteer work and contributing to the betterment of the community, he was reverently awarded the Hartford Archdiocesan Medal of Appreciation. Mike served both as a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and as the president of the Annex Club in New Haven where he always appreciated a good game of bocce and continued to play with friends and family this summer.

At a young age, he learned his trade while living in Hawaii. He married and later relocated to North Branford where he worked at Forte’s Market. Following years of work at Forte’s Market, he opened his own business, the Northford Meat Center. After countless years dedicated to making people happy with his trade, Mike retired at the age of 83. Mike loved nothing more than being surrounded by friends and family. He found joy in working in the kitchen, cutting food and cooking.

He taught all of us the real meaning of family through passing down his wisdom, carrying out endless acts of kindness, and through his constant, loving affirmations. Most of all, he taught us the meaning of unconditional love. His last years were a testament to the loving man he was, as he personified his vow to love until ‘death do us part.’ He continued to care for his wife of 65 years who struggled and finally succumbed to Alzheimer’s in August of this year.

The family would also like to thank Mike's 2nd son, Skip Knight and his 3rd daughter Peggy Calamita, for their support and devotion to dad over the years.

His funeral procession will leave the PORTO FUNERAL HOME, 234 Foxon Rd. (Rte 80) East Haven Monday morning at 11:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Ambrose/St. Augustine Church at 12:00 PM. Interment with military honors will follow in East Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call MONDAY MORNING from 8:30-11:30. In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org.