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Steven J. Modzelewski of Branford died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on June 4. He was the beloved husband of 52 years to Annarose Farina Modzelewski. Steve was born in New Haven on Aug. 11, 1943, son of the late Stanislaus and Estelle Saczynski Modzelewski.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam conflict. He was employed for 30 years as a truck driver for Eder Brothers in West Haven prior to retiring in 1998. Steve was an avid collector of comic books and sports cards. He cherished long walks with his dog Sadie. He loved antiquing and visiting flea markets with his friend Frank DeBrino. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 10 in Branford. Steve also worked at the New Haven Coliseum and met many performers, but he was a huge fan of ’50s doo wop music with his favorite song being “In the Still of the Night” by the Five Satins.

Steve adored his family and friends and his greatest joy in life was being a father and grandfather, always encouraging his family to just do their best. Steve’s favorite mantra was “Just be yourself” and “I love you as much as there are stars in the sky.”

Besides Annarose, he is survived by his children, Danielle A. Carrano of East Haven and Steven A. Modzelewski of Branford; his grandchildren, Edward P. Villeco, Jr., and Michael J. Carrano; and his siblings, Valerie Lynch of West Haven, Michael Modzelewski of New Haven, and Victoria Chase of East Haven, as well as many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Steven’s family would like to thank the most excellent nurses and doctors of St. Raphael’s Hospital and the Connecticut Hospice for their compassionate care provided to him during the final months of his life.

His funeral will proceed from the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 9, for a Mass of Christian burial in St. John Bosco Parish at St. Mary Church, Branford, at 11 a.m. (Masks are optional at church.) Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Branford. Visiting hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405. For directions and his online memorial, see www.wsclancy.com.