Salvatore Anthony Pagano, 97, of Hamden, entered into rest on August 16, 2026. Born August 7, 1929, in the family

home in West Haven, he was the son of the late Francesco and Rose Fanello Pagano.

Sal, also known to some as Sam, shared 71 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Dolores Raccio Pagano. Married in

October 1954, they built a life centered around family, good food, travel and laughter.

A proud U.S. Army veteran, Sal served from 1950 to 1952, including service in Germany, and was awarded the Army of

Occupation Medal.

Sal spent more than 45 years in the dairy industry. He began with H.P. Hood and later purchased his own distributorship,

expanding the business to supply dairy and related food products to restaurants, schools, grocery stores, ice cream

retailers and other businesses throughout Connecticut. After selling the business, Sal's social and curious nature led him

to work independently as a courier, often returning home with fascinating stories about the people he met. Despite all

he accomplished, when asked what he did for a living, he would modestly answer, “I was a milkman.”

A longtime parishioner of Ascension Church in Hamden, Sal sang in the choir, volunteered with the soup kitchen and

helped run Tuesday night bingo. He took great pride in his home and gardens and loved history, politics and reading

newspapers from around the world.

Proud of his Sicilian heritage, Sal loved good food, although his restaurant reviews weren't particularly discriminating.

Ask how his meal was and there was a good chance he'd answer, “That was the best I've ever had.” He and Dolores

loved cruising and shared many family trips, especially to Florida and Disney.

Sal loved a good story, a good joke and a good laugh. He approached life with enduring optimism and an ability to find

something good in almost everything. One of his favorite reminders to his family summed it up well: “99% of everything

you worry about never happens.”

In addition to his wife, Dolores, Sal leaves his son, David Pagano; his daughter, Deborah Pagano and her husband,

Kenneth R. Finkle; and his grandsons, Peter Belomizi and Kenneth Pagano Finkle Jr. He was predeceased by his siblings,

Paul, Joseph, James, Rose and Benjamin Pagano, and also leaves many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family

members and friends.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects Sunday, August 23, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hamden Memorial Funeral Home 1300 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden CT, 06514. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, August 24, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518, followed by burial at All Saints Cemetery 700 Middletown Avenue North  Haven, CT 06473.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Salvatore Anthony Pagano’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 

 Make a memorial donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital