It's official: Ruth Franz and Henry Jones are embarking on a life together as octogenarian newlyweds.

The couple were married Monday afternoon at Grace and St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Hamden.

"The ceremony was lovely. It was beautiful," Gott said. A first-time bride, Franz, 85, wore a white gown as she married the man she loves for his "compassionate heart and generosity."

Jones, who lives in Wallingford, lost his first wife a year ago after some 60 years of marriage. He is a few years older than Franz, who lives in Milford.

The couple had a whirlwind three-month romance with their first "date" being lunch and a church service. However, they had known each other for 40 years and worked together for two decades as business partners at Franz Manufacturing Co. in New Haven, owned by Franz's father.

After all those years, Franz and Jones parted upon retirement and were in touch occasionally, but didn't see each other until 20 years later when Jones called her in June.

"I love her dearly because of the way she thinks and the way she loves the Lord. We're singing off the same sheet and that's all you could want in life," Jones said of his bride before the wedding.