Obituary: Camelli "Carmela" Carrano Abbenante, 82, of Branford

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

Camelli "Carmela" Carrano Abbenante, beloved resident of Branford, passed away surrounded by her family Thursday, April 25, 2024. She was the wife of the late Thomas Abbenante.

Carmela was born in New Haven on June 6, 1941, to the late Nugent and Anna Cimmino Carrano. Growing up on Wooster Street in New Haven, she attended St. Michael’s Grammar School and Wilbur Cross High School. After marrying Tom, Carmela made Branford her home, dedicating herself to raising her family.

Throughout her life, she pursued many passions and professions, including a career in nursing and real estate. Carmela had an entrepreneurial spirit and founded and managed the successful toy store Serendipity in Branford. Carmela had a childhood love for roller skating and with partners Sal Consiglio and Tony Carone co-founded and ran Great Skate in Norwich Connecticut, leaving a lasting impact on that community. She enjoyed her involvement in St. Therese Church in Branford, especially through her work with the Ladies Guild and the friendships she formed there.

Carmela’s greatest passion was the love for her family. She will be dearly missed by her children, Patricia Abbenante (Camilo Romero) of Branford and Dr. Thomas Abbenante (Kinsey Bair) of Guilford; her grandchildren, Matteo, Alexander, and Amalia Romero, as well as Clarice and Madeline Abbenante; and sister, Patricia Carrano of Clearwater, FL.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 1, at 10:00 AM in St. John Bosco Parish at St. Therese Church, located at 105 Leetes Island Road, Branford. Following the service, burial will take place in St. Agnes Cemetery.