Carlo Henry Grande II

GRANDE Carlo Henry Grande II, age 68, of Milford, and Westerly, R.I., and formerly of Hamden, entered into eternal rest peacefully on July 30, 2005 surrounded by his loving family and friends. Carl was born in New York City August 3, 1936, son of Mary Ulizio Grande of Westerly, R.I. and the late Carlo H. Grande. After attending Hamden public schools, Carl matriculated at UConn, Univversity of Bridgeport and the Cambridge School of Broadcasting, which led to a distinguished career in the broadcast industry. He was an award winning sportscaster and owner-operator of radio and television stations locally and throughout the country, including WELI, WNHC Radio and Television in New Haven; WNAB in Bridgeport: WMEX in Boston; WSME in Maine and WLWI-TV in Indianapolis. He also broadcast Indianapolis Indians Minor League baseball games. He was particularly proud of his groundbreaking accomplishments at WERI in Westerly and WNHC radio in New Haven. Both stations received numerous awards for community based news and sports coverage. His creativity led to one of the first independent multifaceted radio networks as early as the 1970's. He and his brother, George, have written, produced and syndicated the popular "Business of Sports". In recent years, Carl has originated, produced and anchored tennis coverage around the world for his "TNT" Productions, including Wimbledon, the French, Italian and US Open Tennis Tournaments. His most recent radio program "Grandstand - Talking Baseball" on WICC in Bridgeport has been one of the highest rated programs in the area. He was particularly proud of mentoring current broadcasters such as Chris Berman, Alan Colmes, Bob Picozzi, Dave Jennings and Doris Burke. He was a founding director of the New Haven Tap Off Club, founder and owner of the New Haven Wonderettes women's amateur softball team and the New England Pilgrims professional men's softball team. He was a loyal member of the New Haven Lawn Club; a long time supporter of the Great Connecticut Jazz Festival; and participated in local Rotary and Chamber of Commerce endeavors. A lifelong St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, he cherished watching his Redbirds right up to his final day. Baseball was his first true love, but tennis and tennis friendships were the central focus of his life in recent years. Carl left an indelible imprint on the Sports World and on all who were lucky enough to have him touch their lives. He will truly be missed as a broadcaster and as a man. Beside his mother, he is survived by a brother, George (JoAnne) Grande; a nephew, Geoff and a niece, Jaime, all of Hamden; his former wife, Pat Grande; former wife, Debbi Bressler and her daughter, Lauren; and long time companion, Leila Chaucer; her son, Alex and wife, Kathleen, and her son, Seth. Friends may call at The Celentano Funeral Home, 424 Elm St. (cor. Dwight) New Haven, Monday (TODAY) from 4 to 7 p.m. and are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of the Ascension, 1040 Dunbar Hill Road, Hamden Tuesday at 11 a.m. Interment in Beaverdale Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions are invited to hornsforkids.org.; Connecticut Hospice or American Cancer Society.