Beloved Enfield Businessman Sal Ragno - "The Meatball King" - Dies At 95

ENFIELD, CT — Salvatore "Sal" Ragno, a lifelong Enfield resident who was one of the most beloved businessmen in town, died Friday. He was 95.

A member of the undefeated 1948 Enfield High School football team which was later enshrined in the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame, Ragno enlisred in the U.S. Army after graduation, serving until 1953 as a cook, "a role that sparked his lifelong passion for food," according to his obituary on the Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels website.

He married Jean Marie Albano on July 4, 1955, upholding his family tradition of always marrying on a holiday so the family business would not have to close for a wedding.

His culinary experience and talent led him to open Ragno's Market and Catering on Pearl Street in the Thompsonville section of Enfield, which he and Jean operated for decades. He became known as "The Meatball King," and customers would often line up to enjoy his cooking. He is fondly remembered for his sunny personality and singing Italian songs, both for customers and while working by himself.

A generous yet humble businessman, Ragno quietly made many contributions of food and meals to both town organizations and individuals going through hard times.

In 2019, as part of its "Picture Enfield" flashback series, Enfield Patch asked readers to submit their favorite memories of Ragno's. Among the nearly 100 responses were:

• "They had the best deli roast beef ever!!"
• "I think Ragno’s was responsible for increasing waist sizes for us at the Fire Department! Damn I miss those lunches!"
• "I remember Mr. Ragno making me try some meat in his sauce...after he asked if I liked it, he told me it was rabbit! I was 6 years old... Think that's why I gave up meat."
• "Loved Sal "Oregano" Ragno. He was kind, funny and a fabulous cook. He and his wife Jean were hard workers along with their children. It was a family affair!"
• "As I recall, Mr. Ragno used to sing opera while he cooked. Loved his eggplant grinders!"
• "The best subs ever."
• "Best chicken ever!"
• "The best steak grinder ever!"
• "The best breakfast ever. Sal was an awesome guy... miss those days."
• "Sal always treated you like family. And you never left hungry."

The last survivor of nine siblings, Ragno is survived by three children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Friday, Aug. 15 from 4-6 p.m. at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Road. A funeral home service is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m.; he will then be laid to rest alongside his late wife in St. Patrick's King Street Cemetery.