"Sarge" Edward B. Borrelli, Sr., 97 years old, of 207 Borrelli Rd., East Haven, died April 23, 2022 at Yale New Haven Hospital after a brief illness.  He was the loving husband of Doris Birks Borrelli (deceased) Ed was born in East Haven, CT, Feb. 8, 1925, the son of the late Luigi and Maria DiChello Borrelli.  Ed grew up and worked on the family's fruit and vegetable farm before becoming an East Haven police officer, rising to Sargent, aka "Sarge" that carried with him throughout his life. He was also a court liaison officer for many years.   Ed was very active in the community from boyhood to the present.  Over the years with changing times, local Granges started to merge.  Ed always followed the changes and was a member at various Granges such as North Haven and North Branford., and now Cheshire.  From the beginning, Ed was a member of the National Grange.  In 2021, he received a letter of recognition from the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, Washington DC, for his 80 years of continued service, a honor very few have achieved.   The land and farming always stayed with him.  His pride in his backyard garden, the size of an average front yard, was amazing.  He grew the best San Marzano tomatoes ever and other delicious vegetables.  He loved to grow zinnias and other flowers to make bouquets to bring to family and friends, especially those homebound.    Another complete joy for him was splitting and stacking wood for his stove.  When his wife Doris was alive, many a time the two of them would be in the backyard working side by side.  And if a family member stopped by and pitched-in, that made his day.  In fact, he would keep going until dark, leaving everyone else trying to keep up with his pace.  Ed was an active 63 year Foxon Volunteer Fireman, Co 3 member.  In the early years, he drove and assisted with the ambulances (at that time they were station wagons), went out on fire calls, trained new volunteers, including being a Board Member. At many of Our Lady of Pompeii annual carnivals across the street from the firehouse, Ed could be seen directing traffic and keeping everyone in order.  Ed was also an active board member on various business, credit union and town related committees,  He enjoyed bowling weekly in the league at Circle Lanes and meeting for lunch every Friday with close friends.  Most importantly, he was a long time communicant of Our Lady of Pompeii.  He and his wife married in the original tiny church in 1947. Just as important was family.  That meant everything to him.  In fact, for well over thirty years, Ed was instrumental in planning annual reunion picnics with all the descendants of the Luigi-Maria Borrelli family, some years gathering as many as 120 or more!  Ed  is survived by  his loving children, Mary Louise Polverari of Wallingford, Ann (Dennis) Krajewski and Barbara (Jeff)  Barker both of Branford, Edward (Joyce) Borrelli Jr and a son-in-law, Nick Faiella both of Northford, 10 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great  granddaughter, step great-grand children and 1 sister Louise (Borrelli) Raccio.  He was predeceased by his daughter Beverly (Borrelli) Faiella, great-grandson Roger Polverari, brothers Dominic, Michael, Anthony, John and sister Nancy (Borrelli) Russo and son-in law Armand Polverari.   Friends are asked to go directly to church for a Mass of Christian Burial. FRIDAY at 11:00 AM in Our Lady of Pompeii, 355 Foxon Rd,. Rt 80, East Haven.  Interment in All Saints Cemetery, North Haven.  Friends may call Thursday from 4-7 PM at Peter H. Torello & Son F.H. 1022 Dixwell Ave, Hamden.  In  lieu of flowers, contributions may be made directly to Foxon  Volunteer Firehouse, Co 3 ,  PO Box 20035,  East Haven.06512. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Yale New Haven Hospital for their compassionate care given to our father.