Our History

The West Haven Funeral Home was founded in 1965 by Nello J. Pinzi. Nello, who passed away at the age of 89, was the husband of the late Helen B. Pinzi. Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1920, Nello served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the LST 56, where he participated in the second wave of the Invasion of Normandy. He later transferred to the U.S.S. Wisconsin. Nello graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago and went on to establish West Haven Funeral Home in 1965. In 1997, he and his daughter, Celia, also founded Oak Grove Crematory in West Haven.

A respected leader, Nello served as past president of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association and the West Haven Lion’s Club. He was a lifetime member of the West Haven Elks Lodge #1537 as well as a member of the West Haven Italian American Association for over 40 years. Nello also contributed to his community as a member of the Board of Police Commissioners for the City of West Haven for three and a half years. Since 1956, he has been a devoted member of Our Lady of Victory Church.

Over the decades, Nello and his daughter Celia built a family-owned funeral home that provides comfort and compassion to families during their most difficult times. Today, Celia, Jim, and the team at West Haven Funeral Home are committed to upholding the values and traditions established by Nello J. Pinzi.