Former RR Workers 'Shoreline' Granata and Ruth Conner Die

Air Force Vet, 82

Achilles A. "Shoreline" Granata of East Haven worked on the New York-New Haven-Hartford Railroad for many years. A World War II and Korean Conflict vet, who served the Air Force, he passed away Nov. 15 at the West Haven Veterans Medical Center. "Shoreline" was 82.

He leaves behind his wife, Anna D'Eugenio Granata; children Salvatore (Silvia) Granata of Eatontown, N.J., Joan (Joseph) Czarkowski of Northford, Janet (James) Mitchell of Clinton, and Jennifer (Curt) Mislick of East Haven.

Achilles "Shoreline" was grandfather to Anthony "A. J." and Stephanie Czarkowski and Danielle and Gabrielle Granata.

Born to the late Salvatore and Carmel Ferraioulo Granata, he leaves behind siblings Carol Perry of North Haven, Marie DeSoto of Madison, Sally Jean Celentano of Sebring, Fla., Richard Granata of Utah, and Robert Granata of Northford. "Shoreline" was predeceased by siblings Judy Barnes and Michael and David Granata.

Achilles' funeral procession will leave the Porto Funeral Home at 234 Foxon Road, East Haven, on Friday, Nov. 19, at 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Pompeii Church at 11 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 306 Industrial Park Road, Suite 105, Middletown, Conn. 06457.

Sports Enthusiast, 87

On Nov. 16, Ruth Burns Connor, 87, died. She lived in town on Messina Drive and had survived her husband, John B. Connor.

Ruth was born in Waterloo, N.Y., on Sept. 16, 1923, to Lawrence and Ella Kirk Burns. Ruth went on to become a secretary for the former New York-New Haven-Hartford Railroad, and then served as an assistant librarian at the Hagaman Memorial Library in East Haven.

A big fan of the Boston Red Sox and the UConn men's and ladies' basketball teams, Ruth was also active in sports. She was an avid and skilled golfer, enjoyed a good game of bocce and went swimming at the town pool. A parishioner at St. Vincent de Paul's, Ruth also enjoyed playing cards.

She is survived by daughters Sharon P. (Art Gallipoli) Conlan of Branford, Susan E. (Jack) Stacey of East Haven, and Patricia L. (John) Ardito of East Haven; grandchildren Kimberly (Marc) Reynolds, Kelly (Steve) Manware, Billy (Carra) Conlan, Sarah (Robert) Bourdeau, Meaghan (Dan) Montabana, John Ardito and Michael Ardito; and a sister, Helen Page, of East Haven.

Ruth also leaves behind 10 great-grandchildren. Her sister, Jane Pierson, predeceased her.

Funeral from the Clancy Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven, Saturday, Nov. 20, at 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Vincent de Paul Church at 10 a.m. Burial in All Saints Cemetery. Friends may call Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 306 Industrial Park Road, Suite 105, Middletown, Conn. 06457.