Frank P. LaMonaca Sr., 97, a longtime resident of Red Brick Lane in North Haven, passed away peacefully on March 4 in his apartment at Elim Park in Cheshire, surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Antoinette Canelli LaMonaca, who predeceased him in 1999. Frank was born in New Haven on Dec. 7, 1920, the son of Paul and Lucy (Turcio) LaMonaca. He served his country faithfully during World War II, including in the Pacific Theater of Operations on Iwo Jima. Frank spent most of his professional career as a hairdresser, with a devoted clientele first in downtown New Haven and then in North Haven. He was a great music lover and an accomplished musician on the piano, violin, clarinet and saxophone, and in his younger days he enjoyed playing in a symphony orchestra and in jazz bands. He was an avid reader, a longtime, passionate fan of the UCONN women’s basketball team, and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Father Donaher Council in North Haven. Frank was a family man first and foremost, and leaves behind two daughters, Lucille and her husband Frederic Stott of Brunswick, ME; Marilyn and her husband William DeCusati of Cumming, GA; and a son Frank Jr. and his wife Carolyn of Westerly, RI. He was the proud grandfather of Frank, John, and Matthew, and lovingly welcomed Frank’s wife Casey and Matthew’s wife Kristen into the fold. He was also the very proud great-grandfather of John (Jack) and Daniel LaMonaca. Frank was predeceased by his sister Grace and his brother John.

A service in celebration of Frank’s life will be conducted at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, on Saturday, March 10, at 10:30. Family and friends may call from 9:00 until the time of service. Interment with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Frank’s name may be made to the Elim Park Residence Benevolent Fund, 140 Cook Hill Road, Cheshire, CT 0610, or to Hartford Home Hospice Care, 1290 Silas Deane Hwy., Suite 4B, Wethersfield, CT 06109