Ann Grano

Ann (Hovhanessian) Grano, 91, of Wethersfield, loving wife of the late Antonio “Tony” Joseph Grano, peacefully passed away Saturday, June 5, 2021. Born February 22, 1930, and raised in New Britain, Ann was one of five children to the late Hagop “Jacob” and Osanna (Manoogian) Hovhanessian. She attended New Britain Schools, graduating from New Britain High School, Class of 1947.

Ann started her work career in High School picking tobacco (which she hated). She moved on to take a job as a bookkeeper at Industrial Engravers in Newington, where she met a dashing young man named Tony. They began dating, then married in the summer of 1957, and have enjoyed 64 wonderful years together. She and Tony were the proud owners of the Brown Derby Tavern in New Britain for many years and were famous for their incredible hot dog sauce. Ann’s last job was as a File Clerk with the Aetna Life and Casualty Co. She often referred to her days at Aetna as the happiest times as she considered her co-workers as her friends and enjoyed much laughter each day at work.

Ann was a member of the Women’s Guild of the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, New Britain. What made her most happy was devoting her life to caring for her family and helping others in many different ways.

During retirement, Ann and Tony wintered in Florida and will be greatly missed by her Florida friends.

Ann will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her two daughters and sons-in-law Sharon and Jamie Sherwood of Southington and Sandra and Brian Dugay of Cromwell; her two remaining siblings, Elizabeth Kalagian of Newington and Sarah Sansone of Plainville; four adored grandchildren, Ian, Julian and Olivia Sherwood and Jack Dugay; her Godson, Gary Hovhanessian, Goddaughter, Darlene Hovhanessian, a special neice and nephew, Lisa (Sansone) Hernandez and Marc Sansone as well as several cherished Grano nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. In addition to her husband and parents, Ann was predeceased by two siblings, her brother Bagdassar “Baggy” Hovhanessian and a sister, Eleanor Conochalla.

Friends and family may call on the family, Thursday, June 10, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd, Wethersfield. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Friday, June 11, 2021 at 11 a.m. in the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, 1910 Stanley St. New Britain. Interment will follow the Liturgy in Cedar Hill Cemetery (Section 12), 453 Fairfield Ave., Hartford. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit ww.desopofuneralchapel.com.