Paul A. Albano, Sr., 84, a lifelong East Haven resident, died at home on Sept. 11. He was the husband of Mary Cavallaro Albano. Mr. Albano was born in East Haven on Jan.3, 1928, son of the late Anthony and Louise Caruso Albano. He was a graduate of East Haven High School, class of 1947, where he played varsity basketball for four years and baseball for two years, and he was a member of the first East Haven High School team to make the basketball quarterfinals in the State tournament. During his senior year, Mr. Albano set the school record of 282 points for an average of 14.7 points per game. His single high game was 29 points.

After graduation, Mr. Albano played basketball with the East Haven Townies and the Annex ball club. He tried out with the Stamford Bombers in the Colonial League and signed a minor league contract with the Giant's Farm System. He was sent to Iola, Kansas, and later traded to Chanute, Kansas, of the Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri League. He played in the Greater New Haven League with the East Haven Reds, the CT Brick Nine, and the Hamden Plainsmen. He also played semi-pro ball with the Hartford Indians and the Torrington Braves in the Connecticut State League. In 1992, he was inducted into the East Haven High School Hall of Fame.

Mr. Albano was employed as a machinist for 28 years at Winchester Arms and then for 12 years with Marlin Firearms Company until his retirement. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Church in East Haven.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Paul A. Albano, Jr. and his wife Rose of East Haven; his two grandsons, who were the greatest joys of his life, Paul A. Albano III and Frankie Albano; a sister, Marion Aronson and her husband Robert of Clinton; a brother-in-law, Alphonse Centofanti of Massachusetts; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Angela Centofanti.

His funeral procession will leave the Clancy Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven, on Friday, Sept. 14, at 9:30 a.m., for a mass of Christian burial at St. Vincent de Paul Church at 10 a.m.  Burial will follow in East Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday, Sept. 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. www.clancyfuneralhome.com