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10/06/2023 08:36 AMJoan (Ragozzino) Raffone, 82, of East Haven and Guilford, passed away on Oct. 2 at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was born April 19, 1941, in New Haven, to Albert and Rose (Onofrio) Ragozzino.
Joan is survived by her five loving and devoted children: Frank Raffone (Shari) of North Port, New York; Tracy Babbidge (Alex) of North Haven; Kathy O’Brien (Kevin) of Fairfield, Chris Raffone (Stacy) of Guilford, and Joseph Raffone (Monica) of Prospect. She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren whom she adored: Christopher Raffone, Patrick Raffone, Andrew Babbidge, Catherine Babbidge, Courtney Babbidge, Will O’Brien, James O’Brien, Ryley Raffone, Casey Raffone, Brady Raffone, Maddie Raffonem and Abbie Raffone. She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Patrick Ragozzino.
After graduating from Hamden High School in 1959, Joan attended the University of Connecticut with a focus in nursing. She continued to pursue her passion of caring for others through a variety of jobs in her career. In her spare time, Joan loved to cook and teach others the joy of cooking. She was a celebrity chef long before that was a popular thing. She loved to serve a hot, delicious meal to the growing throng of family, friends, and teammates who vied for a place at her table to sample her signature dish — meatballs and homemade sauce — and other mouth-watering dishes.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Joan was a figure skater, water skier, and basketball player, but nothing brought her more joy than sitting in the stands, regardless of the level of precipitation or chill, to root for her children and grandchildren as they faced their rivals in the hockey rink, on the lacrosse field, basketball court, field hockey field, baseball diamond, soccer field, tennis court or football field. She often could be heard from the stands providing some helpful coaching suggestions or assisting referees with calls they may have missed, all under her breath, of course.
Known to all as “Joanie,” a name that can only be said with a smile, she will be missed deeply.
Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, in the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home & Cremation Service (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, in St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, 80 Taylor Ave., East Haven with Committal to follow at East Lawn Cemetery.