West Haven Funeral Home

04/30/2026

Catherine (Panozzo) Trent, 98, of Milford, passed away on November 21, 2025. Long time resident of Connecticut, former resident of Chicago's Roseland area. Graduate of St. Anthony of Padua Grammar School and Pullman Tech High School. Devoted wife of the late Conrad Trent.

Two Memorial Masses will be held at 11 o’clock on the mornings of Sunday, May 8, 2026, and Sunday, August 30, 2026, at St. Gabriel Church, 26 Broadway, Milford, Connecticut. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL will be private.

To share an online condolence with Catherine’s family, please visit our website, www.westhavenfuneral.com.

Celebrate the life of Catherine Trent and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

04/29/2026

Mr. Potato Head Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated annually on April 30th. This day is dedicated to one of the most famous toy characters, Mr. Potato Head, who was created by Hasbro and became an iconic toy.

Mr. Potato Head was first introduced in 1952 and became the first toy that included body parts that could be attached and rearranged. Originally, the toy was designed so that children could attach various body parts to a real potato, but later Hasbro began producing plastic parts, and the toy gained worldwide popularity. This is a day when children and adults can reminisce about the classic toy and its significance in childhood. It is also a day to celebrate creativity in toys and the importance of their impact on children's imagination development. The holiday helps highlight how toys like Mr. Potato Head can play an important role in education and growth.

In the 1940s, George Lerner of Brooklyn came up with the idea for a "funny face man," a character that would be made by putting pronged body and face parts into a fruit or vegetable. The idea may have come from his nephew Aaron Bradley, who he saw sticking sticks into potatoes while in a garden. Le....

04/29/2026

Carole worked as a dedicated medical assistant at Village Medical/ProHealth for over two decades. She was known for her kindness, warmth, and the care she gave to those around her, both professionally and personally. She also worked at Rip Tide, formerly Oyster River, where she built everlasting friendships and was known for her kindness and reliability.

Outside of work, Carole’s favorite moments were spent with her “grandbabies.” Sadie and Mack were always most excited when they saw their Grammy pull up to the house, knowing the fun was about to begin. Carole and Sadie shared an especially precious bond, spending many weekends together having “girl time.” They lovingly called each other besties, and their relationship was one of pure joy, love, and friendship. She found happiness in life’s simple pleasures, especially time spent at the beach and enjoying a good Cosmo.

Carole will be remembered for her loving heart, her devotion to family, and the beautiful way she made those around her feel cared for. Her love will live on through her family, especially through the grandchildren who brought her so much happiness. She is now reunited with her beloved dog Ralphie and others who went before her.

Celebrate the life of Carole Murray and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

04/28/2026

John lived in Shelton prior to moving to West Haven with his wife, Barbara Carlo Dougherty. Very proud to be from the Valley, he worked for many years as the branch manager at Shelton Savings Bank. Prior to his retirement, John was employed as a tax preparer for H&R Block. John was honored to have served in the Army, where he received the National Defense Service Medal, among other commendations. He was a skilled marksman and was a member of Sutter-Terlizzi American Legion Post 16. He and Barbara were loyal parishioners of Our Lady of Victory Church, as their faith remained a guiding force throughout their lives.

Celebrate the life of John Dougherty and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

04/27/2026

GRAND OPENING THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026, 5:30 PM-7:00 PM
"The Big Dog Show" by Dale Rogers
Bradley Point Park/Savin Rock
For more information, please contact the mayor's office:
info@westhaven-ct.gov or (203) 937-3510

04/25/2026

Born in Manchester, New Hampshire, John came to West Haven as a young man and graduated from West Haven High School 1957, where he served as the class vice president.
After 35 years as a lineman and then as a field engineer, at the United Illuminating Co., John retired in 1993. He thoroughly enjoyed retirement playing many rounds of golf, working part-time at the Yale Golf Course and as a past president and member of the Orange Hills Men’s Golf Association.
Active in many civic associations, John was a member of the West Have Elks Lodge, a former coach and player in the Twilight League, a member of the New Haven Football Officials Association and the West Haven Touchdown Club, to name a few.

Celebrate the life of John Skarlos and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

04/25/2026

Steve began his political career as Fire Commissioner and Councilman of the Second District. A former 13-term State Representative who served as a co-chair of the General Assembly’s Public Safety and Security Committee, he served on the Gaming Policy Task Force and the Private Security Personnel Task Force. In one of the highlights of Dargan’s career, he was the state’s first elected official to serve in a CIA counterterrorism unit after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the country. He went on to serve the wider state as a member of the Board of Parole and Pardons.

Stephen has been a member of several associations and has received numerous awards over the years, notably the Notre Dame Knights of Honor Award, Irishman of the Year, The West Haven Twilight League Susan Gilbert Courage Award, and was inducted into the West Haven High School Athletic Hall of Fame (Tinker Blake Community Service Award).

Celebrate the life of Stephen Dargan and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

04/23/2026

New Kids on the Block Day began on April 24, 1989, thanks to Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis. He declared the day to honor the band’s significant influence and popularity at the time.

During this period, New Kids on the Block had become a sensation with their catchy songs and energetic performances. They had a huge fan base, and their impact on the music industry was undeniable.

New Kids on the Block Day is more than just a trip down memory lane. It’s a recognition of a band that broke records and created a lasting legacy in the music world.

If you were born in Generation X or early Millennials, you probably remember the excitement around New Kids on the Block! This iconic boy band dominated the music scene with their catchy hits and energetic performances. Their influence was so significant that they even had a special day dedicated to...

04/23/2026

Growing up, Martin found great joy in boating and fishing with his parents and family. He attended culinary school, but didn’t pursue food service as a profession.

Martin’s career path included manufacturing, and he worked as a toolmaker, first for The Lee Company in Woodbridge, and later at ASML in Wilton. He took pride in his contributions to the aerospace and semiconductor industries, and he developed strong, lasting friendships with his coworkers.

Martin’s cheerful nature, caring heart, and generous soul will be missed by all whose lives were touched by his presence.

Celebrate the life of Martin Belko and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

04/22/2026

Maria will be remembered as a kind, gentle, and deeply loving woman who put her family above all else. She found joy in caring for her home, often spending time cleaning and creating a warm, welcoming space for those she loved. Her home was a reflection of her heart—full of comfort, peace, and love.

Maria’s strong faith in God guided her life and gave her strength, especially during her illness. She carried herself with grace, resilience, and unwavering love, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.

Celebrate the life of Maria Batista and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

04/21/2026

April Showers Day is observed annual on April 22nd. This unofficial holiday celebrates the spring rainy season that helps flowers bloom and falls on the same day as Earth Day. It is a day to embrace the rain, often accompanied by themes of nature and growth. It coincides with Earth Day, highlighting the importance of the rainy season for the planet's ecosystem.

April Showers Day is a delightful celebration that brings a splash of joy to the spring season. This day highlights the importance of rain in fostering life and beauty. The rain, which is common in April, prepares the ground for the beautiful blooms of May, embodying the saying, “April showers bri...