West Haven Funeral Home

09/05/2026

West Haven will observe the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on 9/11 with a flag-raising ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Bradley Point Park flagpole, followed by a candlelight vigil at the city’s 9/11 memorial.

The solemn service will begin with a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard and the flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard.

The flag-raising will honor the memory of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the attacks. Remarks by dignitaries, including Mayor Dorinda Borer, will follow.

The New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes & Drums will perform “America the Beautiful.”

At 7 p.m., the candlelight vigil will take place at the Richard S. Gabrielle Sept. 11 Memorial on the boardwalk next to the former Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St.

Members of the West Haven Rotary Club will distribute candles and programs at the granite monument, which was paid for by the service club in 2002. It was designed by Harold J. Schaller of H.K. Peacock Memorials Inc. in Valhalla, New York.

Gabrielle, 50, of West Haven, was killed during the attack on the twin towers in New York’s World Trade Center complex. An insurance broker at Aon Corp., he was last seen on the south tower’s 78th floor.

Declared Patriot Day by Congress in 2002, West Haven will fly flags at half-staff in recognition of the national day of remembrance.

The vigil will feature Celtic folk performances by Irish singer-songwriter Liz McNicholl, including “The Bravest,” a tribute to the heroes of 9/11. It will also include a wreath-laying.

For additional information, please visit https://cityofwesthaven.com/

09/04/2026

FREE ACOUSTIC SUNDAY MORNING CONCERT-LAST OF THE SEASON at Oak Street Beach, Sunday, September 6, 9:30-11 a.m. featuring Chris Lavery (presented by Mayor Dorinda Borer). Bring your coffee and chair and enjoy the vibe!!!

09/03/2026

Every Thursday & Saturday | July 9-October 10 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Thursdays | West Haven Green
Saturdays | Oak Street Beach Parking Lot
The Tony Inzero Farmers Market is sponsored by the city and has operated since 2000 on the West Haven Green and next to the Oak Street Beach parking lot.

The market, held from July 9-Oct. 10, will include state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables and crafters selling homemade wares from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. every Thursday on the Green, at Campbell Avenue and Main Street, and every Saturday adjacent to the beach lot, off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

Parking is available on Campbell Avenue and in the City Hall municipal lot, 355 Main St., as well as in the Oak Street municipal lot and on Palace Street. Oak Street is on the senior shuttle route and the CT transit route.

The farmers market was dedicated in 2010 in memory of Anthony F. “Tony” Inzero, a leader in the downtown business community who co-owned Flower Affair on Campbell Avenue with Betty DelVecchio for many years. Inzero was a founding member and longtime president of the West Haven Business Association who spearheaded a variety of events and programs to drum up business for fellow merchants, including the first farmers market in 2000. Inzero, who lived in Hamden, died in 2009 at age 59.

https://www.cityofwesthaven.com/346/Farmers-Market

09/02/2026

Frances Rae Genna, 78, of West Haven, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2026. She was the beloved wife of the late Santo Orazio Genna, with whom she shared 47 years of marriage.

A devoted mother and hardworking woman, Frances took great pride in her home, her work, and her family. She was fun and spirited, strong-willed, and fiercely loyal to the people she loved. She enjoyed having a house full of family and friends, playing cards, shopping, spending time at the beach, and trips to the casino. Frances and Santo had been together since they were teenagers, sharing a lifetime of love, family, and memories.

Frances will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew and loved her.

Celebrate the life of Frances Genna and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

09/01/2026

May the last four months
Of this year bring us a little more
Peace with the pain we carry.
May we find strength for the days
That still hurt, comfort in the memories
We hold, and moments of happiness
Without feeling guilty for smiling again.
And for those of us grieving
Someone we love…may the rest
Of this year be gentle with our hearts.
We may not have the life we once
Dreamed of, but may we find a
Way to keep living, loving,
And carrying them with us.
Because some people may no
Longer be here to share the rest
Of the year with us…
But they will always be part of
Every year we have left.

~Author Unknown

08/31/2026

Su***de Prevention Awareness Month - Every September, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other organizations observe Su***de Prevention Awareness Month. In recent years, SAMHSA has produced a toolkit that is widely used and shared by state behavioral health authorities and others looking to promote this observance.

Join us and take action to help prevent su***de. Every conversation, every connection can make a difference. Follow along all month for resources and ways to connect, support, and prevent: samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/su***de-prevention-month/toolkit
***dePrevention

08/31/2026

A 52-year resident of West Haven, Harold was an avid freelance photographer. He enjoyed cooking and baking; and he kept himself busy, especially after Joyce died. He took pleasure in watching TV - especially his favorite cooking shows.

Jaime and Jennifer would like to thank the nurses on Y-NHH cardiac unit (5-1), especially Sam, for their compassion and exceptional care of Harold.

In accordance with Harold’s wishes, there are no services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Celebrate the life of Harold Cassel and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

08/29/2026

International Overdose Awareness Day, observed annually on August 31st, is dedicated to ending overdose and remembering those lost to drug-related deaths. It aims to raise awareness about the devastating impact of overdose, reduce stigma surrounding substance use, and promote evidence-based prevention strategies. The day also honors the grief of families and friends left behind, while encouraging communities to take compassionate action toward support, recovery, and policy change.

08/27/2026

National Grief Awareness Day, observed on August 30th of every year, is generally designed to raise awareness for the experience of grief, which can encompass a complex range of emotions. To recognize National Grief Awareness Day, you might take time for self-care, join a support group, and remember those you’ve lost. If you’re struggling to cope with grief, consider working with a therapist online or in person to get professional support.

211 is the confidential, free, 24-hour a day, and multilingual way to locate grief support and hundreds of human services in our area. Visit https://www.211ct.org/ phone 2-1-1 in Connecticut (1-800-203-1234, out-of-state), or dial 7-1-1 (hearing impaired).

08/26/2026

*****UPDATE - WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2026 - 2:24 PM EDT*****

Although Charlotte's poodle was safely attached to its base with high strength mortar, this did not stop someone from removing her and tossing her in a sand dune nearby.

This playground is as sacred to me as a cemetery. It is a memorial to a murdered child. As a last responder to several of the children at Sandy Hook, I truly have no words to describe my horror at this action.

Celia Pinzi
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Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - 6:00 PM EDT

With much gratitude to Mike Martin and the West Haven High School Construction Class, Charlotte's poodle has been returned to her home at The Charlotte Bacon Memorial Playground located at Sea Bluff Beach at 1083 Ocean Avenue in West Haven, Connecticut.

Charlotte Bacon was a first grader at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The playground showcases her favorite color pink; her love for dogs - especially poodles - and includes her artwork.