Donald Michael Cashman

Donald Michael Cashman, age 92, of West Haven, passed away at home on December 21, 2021. Donald was born in West Haven on September 12, 1929, son of the late John and Margaret McNamara Cashman. He was the devoted husband of the late Ann Coffey Cashman. He is survived by his children, Millicent and her husband James Malcolm of Middlefield, Maryann and her husband Wayne Valaitis of West Haven, Geraldine and her husband Rodger Foley of Orange, and Donna Cashman of Henderson, NV. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Caroline and her husband Michael Fiore, Michael, Hannah and James Malcolm, William and his wife Stacey Malcolm, Katherine and Sophia Valaitis, and Megan and Ann Foley, two great-grandchildren William Fiore and Nathan Malcolm, and many nieces and nephews. Donald was predeceased by his brothers, John, William, and Paul Cashman, and his twin sister Germaine Grady. 

Donald was a proud US Navy Veteran and served on the USS Des Moines during the Korean War. He earned his Bachelor’s of science in Business Administration from Quinnipiac College, and a master’s degree in special education from Eastern Connecticut State College. Donald had a passion for working with the disabled and enjoyed a lifelong career as a music teacher at Southbury Training School. He was a gifted musician who could play almost anything by ear on the piano and accordion, and his talents brought joy to everyone in his life, especially those he entertained for many years as a volunteer. He enjoyed boating at his homes on Long Island Sound and in Florida and taking his children and grandchildren camping every summer at Hammonasset Beach State Park. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Victory parish for over 50 years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. His devotion to the Roman Catholic faith was special to him and his family.

Family and friends are invited for visitation on Monday from 4-7 pm at the West Haven Funeral Home at the Green. The funeral procession will leave the funeral home on Tuesday morning at 9:30 am for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated in Our Lady of Victory Church at 10 am. Masks are required for all services. Interment will be private. During his final years, Donald’s life was enriched by the services provided by The Connecticut State Library for the Blind (https://ctstatelibrary.org/lbph/) and televised mass through the Office of Radio and Television (www.ortv.org)/. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to these organizations. To leave an online condolence, please visit our website at www.westhavenfuneral.com.

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