John Frank Merlone, 80, recently of Long Branch, NJ, formerly of Sanford, North Carolina and long time resident of Hamden, Conn., died Saturday, April 26, 1997 in Warren Hospital, Phillipsburg, NJ.

He was a self-employed metal spinner in Hamden, Conn. for many years.

Born October 7, 1916 in North Haven, Conn., he was the son of the late Carlo and Anna Tartaglini Merlone.

He was of the Catholic faith and was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus in North Haven, Conn.

He was a seaman with the Merchant Marines during World War Two and had received the Atlantic War Zone Medal, the Mediterranean Middle East War Zone Medal, the Merchant Marine Emblem and the Pacific War Zone Medal.

He had been a professional boxer.

He and his, the former Lillian M. Ferrari, observed their sixty-first wedding anniversary last December 21st.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, John C. of Sanford, NC.; one daughter, Patricia McGowan of Red Bank, NJ; and four sister, Rose Verneris of Meriden, Conn., Adeline Ullrich of Nome Alaska, Edith Tosetti of North Haven Conn., and Eva Amendola of Hamden, Conn.; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Four brothers, Frank, Steve, Emilio and Edward and two sisters, Lucy Lilly and Amelia Palmerini all died earlier.

Private cremation was held at the convenience of the family. Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Memorial Mass scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday May 3rd, at Saint Steven's Catholic Church, Ridge Rd., Hamden, Conn. Following the Mass, everyone is invited to the Cross Roads Restaurant, 249 State St., North Hamden, Conn.

The family requests memorial donations to an Alzheimer's Association of one's choice.

The Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main St., Phillipsburg, NJ is handling the arrangements.