Philip Ancona, lifelong Ridgefielder

Philip Charles Ancona, a lifelong Ridgefielder who served in the Navy during World War II, died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004, at Danbury Hospital. He was 84 years old and the husband of the late Anna T. Ancona.
A native of Ridgefield, Mr. Ancona was born on April 16, 1919, a son of Charles Philip and Josephine Infurchia Ancona, who came here from the province of Agrigento, Italy. He grew up in Branchville, attended the old Branchville Schoolhouse, and graduated from Henry Abbott Technical School in Danbury.
As a young man, he worked for his uncle, Joseph, who founded Ancona’s Market in Branchville.
During World War II, Mr. Ancona served in the U.S. Navy in China and the Pacific Theatre. He was both a machinist and a shipboard barber — and once toyed with the idea of becoming a barber in civilian life.
However, after the war, he went to work as a machinist with the Gilbert and Bennett Manufacturing Company in Georgetown. He retired after more than 30 years with the company.
Mr. Ancona met his future wife, Anna Cariello, at a wedding in Trumbull. The two were married June 21, 1952, and the couple marked their golden wedding anniversary in 2002. Mrs. Ancona died in February 2003.
Mr. Ancona was a life member of the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department and was active in Sacred Heart Church in Georgetown.
He enjoyed music, and played the guitar and sang in productions staged years ago at Sacred Heart Church.
Mr. Ancona also enjoyed being outdoors. He was famous in the area for his fig tree, which he nurtured for more than 25 years and which recently produced a harvest of more than 1,000 figs. He and his good friend and neighbor, Tony Del Biondo, cared for the tree, wrapping and protecting it each fall against the damaging cold. Mr. Ancona would grow seedlings from its fruit to give to family and friends.
“He was a very generous man, a dedicated father, who was devoted to his family,” said his daughter Teresa Ancona.
Besides his daughter Teresa of Geneva, Switzerland, Mr. Ancona is survived by a son, Charles P. Ancona of New York City; a grandson, Michael Philip Krell of Geneva; a sister, Frances Pambianchi of Ridgefield; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth J. Cariello of Trumbull, and Mary J. Cariello of New York City; and many nieces and nephews.
A brother, Nazzareno Ancona, and a sister, Phyllis Pancrazio, died before him.
The Rev. M. Joseph Joaquin, pastor, celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial Saturday at Sacred Heart Church. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Sacred Heart Church, Box 388, Georgetown CT 06829, or the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department, Box 544, Georgetown CT 06829
The Bouton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.