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Richard Henry Ezold Sr.

In loving memory of Richard Henry Ezold Sr., 85, of Branford, who passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Jan. 5, 2024, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. Mr. Ezold was born on May 6, 1938, to the late Andrew and Alice Ezold. He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Esther Santore Ezold. He was the loving father of twin daughters whom he adored and was very proud of, Sharon (Michele Madonna) Ezold-Villano and Shelley (Bobby) Massey; and Richard Ezold Jr., his best friend; cherished grandfather of Lauren (Tyler) Kraus, Morgan (Neville) Graham, Taylor (Bill) Alessi, Brandon (Matthew Williams) Massey, and Jessica Villano; and great-grandfather of Hayden Alessi.

Richard was one of the owners of the Forbes Diner along with his mother, brothers Andrew, Harry, and Robert Ezold, and sister, Ruth Larrivee, who all preceded him in death. He was employed for the past 30 years as an Operations Coordinator for his son-in-law at Massey’s Glass, where he loved to go every day and see all his friends.

He served for eight years in the US Army Reserves. He was an outstanding basketball player in his youth, making all-state for East Haven High School, Class of 1956, and later playing for the semi-pro Ansonia Norwoods. He was inducted into the East Haven Sports Hall of Fame and the New Haven Tap Off-Club and was an avid bowler.

Richard was the most kind, generous, and caring man whose family meant everything to him. He loved to watch his children and, later, his grandchildren play sports. Poppy was their biggest fan and supporter. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He loved family dinners, trips to the casino to play blackjack, daily lunches with his son Rich, attending shows at the Shubert Theater, and watching UConn basketball and the New York Mets.

Special thanks to the staff from VNA Community Health, hospice nurse Angela, Vanna Dest, Michael Hurwitz MD, Lynn Mastrianni APRN, Michael Glending PA, and his favorite nurse Chris and the entire Smilow Floor NP8.

Visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, in the Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc., 11 Wooster Place, New Haven. Everyone is asked to please go at 11 a.m. on Friday morning, Jan. 12, directly to Blessed Michael McGivney Parish at St. Michael Church, 29 Wooster Place, New Haven, for a Mass of Christian burial. Burial will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery in Branford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, www.themmrf.org in support of his daughter’s ongoing battle with Multiple Myeloma. Share a memory on Richard’s Tribute page by visiting www.iovanne.com.