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06/29/2023 07:47 AMDr. Louis J. Pellegrino, 92, of East Haven, passed away June 14 at home. He was born March 19, 1931, in New Haven to Angelo and Matilda Pellegrino. He was predeceased by his wife, Katherine, in 2021 after 68 years of marriage. He is survived by his children, Karen Pellegrino of East Haven, Robert Pellegrino (Danielle) of New Haven, Lynn Pellegrino (William McLaughlin) of Guilford and Lisa Pellegrino (companion, Vincent Grillo) of Branford. He is also survived by grandchildren whom he adored, Alicia Thompson (Andrew), Shauna McLaughlin, Kayley McLaughlin, Molly McLaughlin, and Mia Parise, as well as two great-grandchildren, Ava Thompson and Aidan Thompson. He is also survived by two sisters, Loretta O’Mara of East Haddam and Susan Clark of Branford. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Louis Pellegrino (1996); and his brother, Dr. Richard Pellegrino.
“Big Lou” was born and raised in New Haven. After living in Philadelphia with his wife during dental school, he moved to Brunswick, Maine, to serve in the U.S. Navy. Eventually, he settled in East Haven to raise their five children, where he remained for over 60 years. He established a busy dental practice which he continued for 55 years. His six-day work week not being enough, Lou got involved in town politics. He served for many years on the East Haven Planning and Zoning Commission. Never one to back down from a good “discussion” (some would say argument), Lou really enjoyed the give and take of political discourse and all things having to do with history. Indeed, he considered himself an expert on American history, especially U.S. presidents.
His circle of friends gave him much happiness and joy during those years. They were extremely close and saw each other regularly. They took annual hunting trips to Maine, which gave the deer much joy and happiness as well since, more often than not, they came home empty-handed. Lou and “Kay” could often be found on the tennis court playing singles against each other or mixed doubles at the Silver Sands Beach Club or in town on any court. He had many talents; among them were photography, playing the saxophone, and tinkering with cars before electronics. His favorite saying was “good enough,” whether eating a meal or how he was doing. But above all else, he was a family man. He was happiest when the entire family would head to Maine to “golden pond” for a week together, an annual vacation for nearly 50 years. To say the entire family, including grandchildren, would go to him for advice is an understatement. Lou had an incredible ability to find the right solution to any issue or problem. And he always did it with fairness and compassion. He was the true patriarch of the family in every sense of the word. And while his shoes are much too big to fill, we will find ourselves constantly asking, “what would Dad say to do?” Never to be forgotten, always to be remembered.
Family received friends on June 20 at the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on June 21 in St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, 80 Taylor Ave., East Haven, with committal that followed at East Lawn Cemetery.