Ferdinando Antinio "Fred" Paladino, Jr.

Ferdinando Antinio Paladino Jr. (”Fred” to all who knew him), age 82 of Milford, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Fred was born on May 6, 1944, in Miami, FL to Fred Sr. and Elvira ”Vera” (Tropeano) Paladino and grew up within a large Italian family in Port Chester, NY. With GED in hand, he started his career at Avon, eventually getting an associate degree at Westchester Community College while helping raise his children, Rich and Leslie. Working his way up to management, he became the distribution manager for the newly coined Duracell Batteries when it spun off from the Mallory battery company to Dart Industries and made its headquarters in Bethel, CT. There he invested many years of his energy and met the love of his life, the former Lucille (Allen) Creane. Marriage to Lucie brought Fred two stepchildren, Lisa and Kevin, and a move to Milford, where over 45 years together they built a life full of family, fishing and everyday pleasures. He cared for a koi pond and massive aquarium throughout his life, raised snakes, turtles and rabbits, had chatty cockatoos and adorable Pekinese pups. He grew lush gardens of vegetables and flowers and tackled home projects from his basement workshop. He became a voracious rockhound, splitting geodes for family and friends, and tumbling gemstones for Leslie’s hand-crafted jewelry. He also fished whenever and wherever he could, going out on the Sound on his boat the Lu-Sea Lady. For years he and Lucie went down to the Keys for a month with her sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Michael O’Connor, to fish the clear blue seas of Islamorada, and out to the Cape where he and Michael fished off bridges, beaches and jetties. He became a lethal bowler, racking up friends in his Bowlero leagues as quickly as he did strikes. He was an excellent cook, a devoted sideline fan for his kids and grandkids and never stopped learning, most recently about the home of his forebears, ancient Rome. But Fred’s greatest passion and pride was reserved for his family, who loved him without measure in return. He and Lucie cherished their large family, most of whom lived nearby for extra time and meals together. In a word, his life was blessed, and he in turn blessed all who knew him with good food, good humor, and a steady—if macabre—take on life, one that helped him fully live the past 30 years despite considerable health challenges. Besides his wife Lucille Paladino he leaves his children Richard (Amber) Paladino of Vero Beach, FL, and Leslie McCarthy, Lisa (Mark) Hayden and Kevin (Kathy) Creane, all of Milford; grandchildren Caitlin (Luis) Dussan, Ryan (Brooke) Hayden, Sheyanne Hayden, William Hayden, Christopher Hayden, Ciara Hayden, Hunter Hayden, Conor Creane, Elizabeth Hayden, Mia Creane, Destini Hayden and Celia Hayden; great- grandchildren Sofia, Ava, Zoe, Grayson, Noah, Liam, Henry, Delaney, and Finn; and foster grandchildren Zach, Thea, Aaron, Kania and Lindsey. He was predeceased by his grandson Dante Hayden and the family asks that any donations in Fred’s name go to their memorial foundation, Shoot For The Stars at dantehayden.com. The family would also like to thank all of the doctors and providers who have worked tirelessly on Fred’s behalf over the years and the cardiac and ICU teams at St. Vincent’s Hospital for their stellar end of life care of our very special patriarch. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the GREGORY DOYLE FUNERAL HOME, 291 BRIDGEPORT AVENUE, MILFORD. Interment will be private. Family and friends may call on Friday, July 17 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral Home. To share a memory please visit, gregoryfdoylefuneralhome.com