Alphonse A. DeRuccio, 76, of Branford, died Jan. 11 at Yale-New Haven Hospital after a long illness. Al was born in New Haven on Dec. 2, 1936, son of the late Louis and Teresa Amarante DeRuccio.  He had worked for the town of North Branford for over 35 years as the director of Park and Recreation and as Senior Citizen director. 

Al was a member of the National Park and Recreation Association, the National Council on Aging, and both the American and Connecticut Park and Recreation Societies.  In addition, he was a past North Branford “Citizen of the Year,” among other honors from the town.  Known as Coach “Topsie”, he coached several New Haven basketball and baseball teams, including the first ever St. Francis School basketball state champions. 

He is survived by his daughter Maria DeRuccio of New York, New York; his brother Louis DeRuccio of Guilford; his loving friend Geraldine Ifkovic of North Branford; his former wife Carmel Castlevetro of North Branford; his stepchildren, Sandra Castlevetro of Killingworth, Lisa Castlevetro of Old Saybrook, Lynn Castlevetro of Dublin, Ireland, John Castlevetro of Guilford, and Frank Castlevetro of Branford; and several step-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  He was predeceased by a step-daughter, Joanne Castlevetro, and his sisters, Rosalyn Cavanna and Grace Girard.

His funeral procession left the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, Branford, on Jan. 14 for a mass of Christian burial at St. Mary Church. Burial was in St. Agnes Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr., Wallingford, CT 06492-1822, or to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311.  For directions and online memorial see www.wsclancy.com.