West Haven holding virtual Pearl Harbor observance

West Haven holding virtual Pearl Harbor Day ceremony

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 1, 2020 — Due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting large public gatherings, the city and the West Haven Veterans Council will observe Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on Monday with a virtual ceremony broadcast on Facebook and YouTube starting at 1:55 p.m.

The solemn service will commemorate the 79th anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor launched by Japan on Dec. 7, 1941, at 7:55 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time and 1:55 p.m. in the Eastern time zone.

The ceremony will feature remarks by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Veterans Council President Dave Ricci. Louis P. Esposito Jr., Rossi’s executive assistant, will serve as the master of ceremonies.

Representing the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Florence Stoeber, the wife of the late Jack Stoeber, a Navy veteran of Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima who was a regular at West Haven’s Pearl Harbor rites for many years, will read the names of the 18 Connecticut servicemen who died in the Japanese bombing of the U.S. naval base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. A member of the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard will toll the department’s chrome bell each instant a name is called.

Stoeber, whose ashes were scattered in Pearl Harbor after he died Jan. 16, 2016, at age 97, was a .50-caliber machine-gunner aboard the destroyer tender USS Whitney in the Pacific theater of World War II.

Connecticut’s last known Pearl Harbor survivor died Aug. 17 at age 99.

The Pearl Harbor tribute will include the Pledge of Allegiance led by Veterans Council member Al Terr, the national anthem sung by West Haven High School senior Nora E. Mullins, and opening and closing prayers given by West Haven Vietnam Veterans chaplain Elliott Hastings.

It will also include a wreath-laying, followed by taps played by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon.

The virtual program will start airing at 1:55 p.m. Monday on West Haven City Hall Facebook and West Haven YouTube.

Clinic resumes youth, family counseling services

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 1, 2020 — The West Haven Youth and Family Services Clinic has resumed counseling services for couples, families, individuals and youths using a confidential virtual platform.

Call 203-937-3760 to schedule an appointment with certified therapists Robbin Wolf-Airault or Sheila Hebert.

Former clients and new referrals are asked to leave their name, phone number and reason for calling so a clinician can contact them.

COVID-19 Testing Site at Savin Rock Conference Center

Fighting cancer

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 25, 2020 — (Pictured): Dubel’s Cafe owner Fred Hugendubel presents a $1,645 check for the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program to committee member Beth A. Sabo outside City Hall on Wednesday.

The money was raised at a small benefit in October in lieu of the annual Dubel’s Golf Tournament, which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Since its inception in 2000, the Breast Cancer Awareness Program has collected more than $700,000 for breast cancer research and education.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Tree lighting postponed to 2021

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 24, 2020 — Due to rising coronavirus cases and restrictions limiting large public gatherings, the city has decided to postpone the 2020 Christmas tree lighting festivities to 2021. The tree will still be lit in honor of the holiday, despite any large gathering.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said the city plans to hold the festivities associated with the tree lighting, traditionally held on the Green on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, in 2021.

“Christmas is my favorite holiday, but the health and safety of our residents is of paramount importance during the pandemic,” Rossi said. “I look forward to fully celebrating our Christmas festivities next year.”

Allingtown fire chief sworn in

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 24, 2020 — (Pictured, from left): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi swears in new City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Chief Michael R. Terenzio on Nov. 23 as Deputy Chief Michael T. Esposito looks on.

“I am confident that Chief Terenzio will serve our city well and continue the long legacy of excellent fire service in Allingtown and West Haven,” Rossi said.

Attending the ceremony, held at the Minor Park Station on Fairfax Street, were acting Chief Peter V. Massaro, Board of Fire Commissioners Vice Chairwoman Cori Nunley, Commissioners Paul Sikorski and Troy Tappin, and officers and firefighters of the Allingtown department. They were joined by Councilwoman Robbin Watt Hamilton, D-5, and Louis P. Esposito Jr., Rossi’s executive assistant.

Terenzio was Cromwell’s fire chief for the past four years. Michael Esposito, a 33-year veteran of Allingtown’s bravest who is also the department’s fire marshal, had been the acting chief for 30 months.

Terenzio, of Cromwell, will relocate to West Haven. He has been in the fire service since 1992.

(City Photo/Marcin J. Stankevitch)