Richard Gargamelli, 59, of Branford, died on Nov. 3 after a long and hard fought battle with cancer. He was the husband of 35 years to Ann Mary Gargamelli and son of the late Louise and Orlando Gargamelli.  He was a devoted husband and father and a proud lineman for the Southern New England Telephone Company.  Richard readily volunteered his time and energy in service of his community, taking on such responsibilities as coaching Branford town little league, leading Boy Scout Troop 428, acting as secretary of the St. Mary's School Athletic Association and as treasurer of the Allington Sportsman Club and the SNET Forman's Social Club.

Richard was an avid fan of Branford girls’ softball, maintaining a constant presence in the bleachers no matter the mosquito count at Young's Pond.  He took great pleasure in caring for his yard and kept it in constant bloom from April to October.  His greatest pleasure, however, was spending time with his two grandchildren.  He never met a dog he didn't pet or a baby he didn't hold.

His family celebrates his full, though all too brief life, and give special thanks to the staff at the Connecticut Hospice for their love and care. 

 Besides his wife, Richard is survived by his son Christopher and wife Melanie, daughter Karen, and grandchildren, Anna and Isabel. He is also survived by his sister, Marie Chomicz and her husband Rick; his brother Michael Gargamelli and his wife Ann; and his sister Linda Trudeau and her husband Cliff.  He was predeceased by his brother, Emil Gargamelli, husband of Dora Gargamelli.

His funeral procession will leave the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main St., Branford, on Monday, Nov. 7, at 9:30 a.m., for a mass of Christian burial at St. Mary Church at 10 a.m.  Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven.  Friends may call on Sunday, Nov. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative, 17 Bethea Dr., Ossining, NY 10562-1620, or to the Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405.