Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home

03/24/2026

An obituary will be posted upon completion.

03/20/2026

03/18/2026

Siobhan Elizabeth (Clancy) Fanucci, age 60, the beloved wife of Bob Fanucci, passed away Friday, March 13, 2026, at Bridgeport Hospital following a long illness. She was the daughter of John Francis and Nancy (Coleman) Clancy and was a lifelong area resident.

Siobhan was a graduate of Notre ...

03/17/2026

Harold J. “Hal” Nuttall, Sr., age 47, the beloved partner in life of Renee Basso and proud father to Harold Jr. (11) and Sienna (7), passed away suddenly at home on Thursday, January 23, 2025. He was born in Bridgeport to Susan and the late Robert J. Nuttall. He grew up in Stratford. Additional surv...

03/17/2026

Best place to celebrate! Gaelic-American Club

03/17/2026

St. Patrick's Day, celebrated on March 17th, honors the patron saint of Ireland, marking the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. Originally a religious feast day for the missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland, it has evolved into a global celebration of Irish heritage, culture, and endurance.

True Meaning and History:
The Real St. Patrick: He was not Irish, but a 5th-century Roman-British missionary who was kidnapped, enslaved, escaped, and later returned to Ireland to spread Christianity.
Religious Significance: Historically, it is a day for Irish families to attend church and celebrate with food, marking a pause in the abstinence of Lent.

Cultural Symbolism: The shamrock is said to have been used by Patrick to explain the Trinity, and he is symbolically credited with driving "snakes" (often interpreted as paganism or evil) out of Ireland.

Evolution of the Celebration:
From Religious to Secular: While deeply rooted in religious tradition, the holiday was transformed by Irish immigrants—particularly in the United States—into a massive cultural celebration starting in the 18th century.

Modern Traditions: Today, it is celebrated with parades, wearing green, Irish music, and feasts to honor Irish identity and history.
Symbol of Resilience: It represents the triumph of a man who survived slavery to return to a land of faith and community.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

03/11/2026

It’s National Funeral Directors and Morticians Recognition Day, and we just want to take a second to recognize the people who help families navigate through their toughest moments. It’s not an easy job, but Funeral Directors/Embalmers/Morticians do it with compassion, respect, and grace.

03/08/2026

Celebrating Women’s History Month and Internation Women's Day!

Female-owned funeral businesses have a deep and fascinating history, especially when viewed through the lens of Women’s History Month. Historically, the funeral industry was male-dominated, but women have long played crucial roles in death care, particularly as caregivers and midwives who also assisted with laying out the dead in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

In early American history, women often handled the preparation of the deceased within their communities. Before the formalization of the funeral industry, it was common for women to wash and dress the dead, a practice known as “laying out.” Midwives frequently doubled as caretakers for both birth and death, emphasizing their deep connection to community health and wellness. With the rise of the funeral profession in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, embalming became more common, and men largely took over the trade, leading to a decline in female funeral directors.

Today, more women than ever are entering the field. In a study by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, over 70% of mortuary school graduates are female. Female funeral directors are viewed as great listeners and detail-oriented multitaskers who deal with families with the upmost compassion and care.

During Women’s History Month, we honor the contributions of women in the funeral profession, from early caregivers to today’s female funeral home owners and directors who continue to reshape the industry with innovation, empathy and leadership.

Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home is a family business built on strength and passion and is proud to be female owned and operated.

Pictured below (L-R): Sheryl Shaughnessey, Pamala Shaughnessey Banks (owner) and Rebecca Lautenslager.

02/28/2026

Services are pending

02/27/2026

Obituary is forthcoming.