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Raymond S. Michalowski, “Ray,” of Branford died April 9 at his home in Branford. He was the loving husband of the late Estelle Makowski Michalowski for 55 years. Ray was born Sept. 12, 1925, son of the late Joseph and Mildred Michalowski. He attended Putnam Avenue Grammar School and Hamden High School, class of ‘43.

In his earlier years, he worked for Valley Fuel Oil and Hood’s Dairy, then enlisted in the army. He served in the European Theater of Operations in combat with the 77th Tank Battalion in Belgium and Germany in the “Cosy Hole” tank. Ray worked for the Regional Water Authority for more than 40 years.

In his retirement, he was a daily communicant at St. Mary Church and frequent breakfast customer at Scotty’s restaurant. He also volunteered many hours as a driver at Connecticut Hospice. His favorite volunteer work was serving in the kitchen at St. Mary School. Ray was also a St. Mary Knights of the Round Table Honoree for his Christian leadership.

Ray was a kind gentleman well liked by many and always smiling. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his sister Rita Murch; sister-in-law Florence Keszycki; nieces Carolyn (Joseph) Ryan, Jeannie Kantor, Barbara Murch, Michele Kendrioski, and Doree Ferrara; nephews Richard (Alice) Murch, David Murch, and Lewis (Annie) Malkowski; and many grand-nieces and -nephews.

His funeral left the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 N. Main St., Branford, April 14 for a Mass of Christian burial in St. Mary Church. Burial followed in St. Agnes Cemetery. Friends called prior to the funeral. Memorial donations may be sent to St. Mary School, 62 Cedar St., Branford, CT 06405. For an online memorial, see www.wsclancy.com.