Joseph Peter Rollo

A long-time resident of Branford, Joseph Peter Rollo died unexpectedly at his home on June 23, 2025. Born in New Haven on December 22, 1950, Joe was the son of Joseph and Helen Johnson Rollo. Raised in East Haven, he was educated in East Haven public schools, St. Vincent DePaul Middle School and at UCONN. Joe joined the Navy in 1971 and was a proud veteran. He worked as an electrical engineer and was plant manager at ACG Electronics, which ultimately was purchased by Data Physics. He was a dedicated Boy Scout leader and filled with pride that both his sons became Eagle Scouts. A member of the Branford Exchange Club, he was famous for making fried dough at the Branford Festival annually. Additionally, he supported BHS athletics, filming football and hockey games for AD'S Jake and Sav. He was also a member of the Wesbrook Elks Lodge. Joe was predeceased by Linda Samuels Rollo, his adored wife of 35 years and the loving mother of his children. Joe fiercely loved his family. He was the father of Aaron Joseph Rollo, who with his wife Julie Williams, gave him two amazing granddaughters to love, Sophia Pearl Rollo and Jamie Kristen Thornton. Andrew Joseph Rollo was born four years after Aaron; he and his wife, Molly, delighted Joe with Penny Josephine and Samuel Robert Rollo. Daughter Sarah Marie Rollo was born 15 months after Andrew and lives in Cromwell. Joe is also survived by his loving companion Francine Cardali, with whom he shared many adventures. His sister Lynn Hidek (Ron Frattini), sister-in-law Shelly Greenhouse (Matthew) and nieces and nephews Lori Hidek Franck(Kevin), E.J. Hidek, Molly Greenhouse, and Ben Greenhouse, and great nieces and nephews Madeline Leahy (Joe), Lottie Franck and Wyatt Bernard loved Joe deeply. A host of cousins and friends will miss him profoundly. Joe was predeceased by his brother-in-law Edward Hidek. Friends are invited to pay their respects on Sunday, June 29 from 3-6 p.m. at W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 N. Main St. Branford, CT. Funeral services will begin at Clancy's at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 30. Burial will follow at Beaverdale Cemetery in New Haven. All who loved Joe will forever cherish his legendary hugs, his ever-curious mind, his talent as a photographer, and his hearty laugh. Joe identified as a "Proud Scot", always sharing that his father was born in Scotland. This past April, Joe joined Aaron and his family for a trip through Scotland, discovering the famed "Rollo Church", a national historic heritage site in Scotland. His zest at overseeing the annual Thanksgiving celebration earned him the nickname of "Grandpa Turkey" or GPT. Every Thanksgiving, there he was, carving the turkey and feeding all the family dogs begging for a treat. Last year he was surrounded by Pepper, Herschel, Potato, Fern, Fergus and Griswold. Joe's humans and canines are eternally thankful that he loved us and we loved him back.