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12/08/2022 05:31 PMPhilip Francis “Phil” Ranelli, 81, of Old Saybrook, died peacefully on Dec. 1, at home in the arms of his loving and devoted wife, Betsy. Born on April 26, 1941, at St. Raphael Hospital in New Haven, as the second son of Joseph J. and Theodora (Pagnotti) Ranelli, he was a lifelong resident of Old Saybrook.
Growing up, when not playing baseball or soccer in the school yard, Phil most likely could be found doing odd jobs in the family pharmacy. The latter spurred a lifelong career in pharmacy. After graduating from Old Saybrook High School and Hampden College of Pharmacy in Chicopee, Massachusetts, Phil joined his father and Uncle Donato (“Dan”) Ranelli as a pharmacist at Central Pharmacy, first on Main Street, and then in the Saybrook Shopping Center, until his father sold the business. He married Betsy Bayles in her family’s home in Farmington on Nov. 22, 1970, and together they owned and operated Westbrook Pharmacy from 1979 to 2000.
Phil was respected beyond the workplace for his devotion to pharmacy and to the town and people of Old Saybrook. He was elected to the Board, and as president of the Connecticut Pharmacists Association in the 1990s, and was awarded the Bowl of Hygeia Award in 1987. In Old Saybrook, he helped where needed on projects and committees, and he served on the Old Saybrook Board of Selectmen from 1977 to 1989. Besides his official town duties, as a Selectman Phil thoroughly enjoyed walking in the Torchlight Parade with Betsy in period costumes.
Phil and Betsy loved to travel, and since retirement, they traveled throughout the country in their RV, relishing the opportunity to meet interesting people. Phil engaged people with his smile, twinkling eyes, stories and sense of humor.
Phil is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Betsy; sister Anne Miller and her husband John; brother Paul L. Ranelli and his wife Carla Brink; sister-in-law Leslie Bayles; half-sister Ilona Ranelli; and special cousin Angela Bosnak. He also is survived by nieces and nephews: Gabriella Ranelli de Aguirre and her husband Aitor, Damian J. Ranelli, Gian Matthew Ranelli and his wife Kendra, Valinn Ranelli, Geoffrey Miller and his wife Jamie, and Theodora, Luciana and Federica Ranelli. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Theodora “Dora” Ranelli; brother J. Ranelli; Donato and Antoinette Ranelli; Don Ranelli; George Bosnak; and other Ranelli and Pagnotti aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Phil can be made to the Old Saybrook Fire Company No. 1 (310 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT 06475), Old Saybrook Police Department, Awards Account, 36 Lynde Street, Old Saybrook CT 06475), Old Saybrook Ambulance Association (316 Main Street, Old Saybrook CT 06475), or donor’s choice. Per Phil’s wishes, his body was donated to Yale New Haven Hospital for research and education. A memorial service will be held at a later date.