Carol (Cronin) Celentano

Carol Celentano, beloved mother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 29th at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, at the age of 92. A lifelong resident of West Haven, Connecticut, Carol was born on June 29, 1933, in New Haven to her loving parents, James and Lillian Cronin. She was the youngest of four siblings—Jim, Bob, and Bill—who all preceded her in death.

Carol graduated from West Haven High School 1951, where she loved being a cheerleader and a basketball player. After high school, she began her working life at the phone company and later devoted many years to the restaurant business, a path that would become a cornerstone of her life.

Alongside her husband, she helped run the popular West Haven restaurant, Chick’s Drive-In, creating memories and meals for generations. Later in life, she partnered with her daughter and son to open Savin Rock Seafood, a restaurant that thrived for ten years and served as yet another example of Carol’s dedication to family, food, and community. She later worked in several local schools preparing lunches for children, always offering a warm smile to the kiddos. She moved on and became a familiar and friendly face at a local deli, where her smile and conversations brightened countless customers’ days.

Carol was the proud mother of three children: Rae, Jillian, and Michael. Her daughter Rae passed away in her 20s, a loss Carol carried with quiet strength and enduring love. She found deep companionship and closeness with her sisters-in-law Gail Celentano and Bea Cronin and brother-in-law Ronald Celentano (deceased). She treasured her special bond with nieces and nephews, Jimmy, Sue, Tricia, Ronald Jr. and Crystal (Ron Jr.’s wife), Scott, Ronald III, Isabella. She also enjoyed her daily talks with her dear friends Linda and Eddie Rogers, and Sunday night talks with Claire Preston. She had a special place in her heart for Deborah Jones, who she always thought of as her daughter.

Carol’s warmth, kindness, and generosity touched everyone she met. She had a gift for making people laugh and be heard. She lived her life with open arms and an open heart, always offering support without hesitation and love without condition.

She loved to travel, sew, and had a soft spot for trips to the casino. Meeting new people and striking up heartfelt conversations was truly one of her greatest joys. A woman of deep faith, Carol was a devoted Catholic who attended Mass every Sunday. Her spiritual life gave her strength, purpose, and peace.

Carol's memory will live on in the hearts of her children, extended family, friends, and all those fortunate enough to have known her. To know Carol was to love her. We are all so proud of the life she lived and will miss her deeply, but her legacy of love will remain with us forever.

Services to celebrate Carol’s life will be held on Saturday, August 9th, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the West Haven Funeral Home at the Green, 662 Savin Avenue, West Haven, CT.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on August 20 at 9:30 in St. John Vianney Church.  Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carol (Cronin) Celentano, please visit our floral store.