It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Noah Webster House West Hartford Historical Society gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in West Haven, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Bradley Point Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local olea or visit WIlliam Campbell Monument, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in West Haven, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in West Haven, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in West Haven, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
New employment data numbers have just dropped for West Haven via the Connecticut Department of Labor.WEST HAVEN, CT — Connecticut added an estimated 700 jobs in July, while the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.8 percent, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor.In July, West Haven's unemployment rose to 5 percent, from 3.9 percent in June, based on the preliminary data from the CTDOL.The recently released report showed that June’s job growth figures were revised d...
WEST HAVEN, CT — Connecticut added an estimated 700 jobs in July, while the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.8 percent, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor.
In July, West Haven's unemployment rose to 5 percent, from 3.9 percent in June, based on the preliminary data from the CTDOL.
The recently released report showed that June’s job growth figures were revised downward slightly, from an estimated 6,300 to 6,100. The state's unemployment rate has now remained below 4 percent for three consecutive years, a threshold economists generally consider representing full employment.
Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo said the state continues to offer opportunities for jobseekers, with about 80,000 positions currently available. She encouraged residents to use resources offered by the state’s American Job Centers, which provide assistance with resumes, navigating hiring software and artificial intelligence systems, and preparing for the job market.
“After the rapid post-pandemic growth, it’s taking longer to find a job than it did a few years ago, but CTDOL has resources to help,” Bartolomeo said.
The report showed private sector payrolls at 1,482,500, just 500 below the record high set in January. Professional, scientific and technical services gained 1,300 jobs in July, while health care and social assistance lost 900, a decline officials said may be seasonal. Federal government employment was unchanged.
The state’s labor force declined by 2,500 in July, following a drop of 3,700 in June. Officials noted the decreases could reflect normal fluctuations in an aging workforce or impacts from federal immigration policies. Connecticut’s labor force participation rate, at 64.7 percent, remains higher than the national rate of 62.2 percent.
Unemployment claims filings fell slightly to just over 31,000.
Patrick Flaherty, the agency’s director of research, stressed the importance of employers returning payroll surveys on time to ensure the accuracy of initial job estimates, which are regularly revised as more data becomes available.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.On Saturday, Fortis Fitness was all fired up with over 100 clients, friends, and family members attending the grand opening of the town's newest fitness facility. Located at 200 Boston Post Road - Suite 2, Fortis Fitness co-owners Dylan Turner and Mark Shields hosted the grand opening, which included a ribbon-cutting organized by the Amity Chamber of Commerce and an open house celebration.Joining Turner and Shields were also Barry Lee...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
On Saturday, Fortis Fitness was all fired up with over 100 clients, friends, and family members attending the grand opening of the town's newest fitness facility. Located at 200 Boston Post Road - Suite 2, Fortis Fitness co-owners Dylan Turner and Mark Shields hosted the grand opening, which included a ribbon-cutting organized by the Amity Chamber of Commerce and an open house celebration.
Joining Turner and Shields were also Barry Lee Cohen, CEO of the Amity Chamber of Commerce, and State Representative Bill Heffernan (D-115). The open house included tours of the transformed new training facility, "Fortis Fitness Challenges," raffles, free merchandise, personal training session discounts, and gift cards. Fellow Amity Chamber members, Foundation Vitamins and Supplements - Orange, and Rubino Family Chiropractic also joined in the celebration.
Fortis Fitness offers private one-on-one training, as well as small group training classes, designed for working professionals who, according to the co-owners, "want to feel stronger, healthier, and more confident without spending hours in the gym. Fortis provides coaching, accountability, and structure to make real progress."
Other training options include StrongHer, a Women’s Small Group PT that focuses on fitness, nutrition, mindset, and recovery. Team Training Sessions are also available.
Cohen said, "Dylan and Mark believe that fitness should be simple, supportive, and sustainable, no matter how busy life gets. Whether your goal is to build strength, improve energy, or just feel better, Fortis Fitness will be with you every step of the way."
Pictured (left to right, holding scissors): Fortis Fitness co-owners Mark Shields and Dylan Turner celebrate the fitness facility's grand opening with over 100 clients, friends, and family.
The restaurant recently celebrated the unveiling of its brand-new outdoor patio with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.WEST HAVEN, CT — The Breakwall celebrated the unveiling of its brand-new outdoor patio with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 7, alongside the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce and West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer.“Owner Brendan Snow had been considering expanding the restaurant for several months before deciding to move forward with the patio project,” according to a news release from th...
WEST HAVEN, CT — The Breakwall celebrated the unveiling of its brand-new outdoor patio with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 7, alongside the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce and West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer.
“Owner Brendan Snow had been considering expanding the restaurant for several months before deciding to move forward with the patio project,” according to a news release from the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce. “After receiving multiple estimates, he and his wife, Katrina Snow, partnered with a company that offered a great quote, and within just two weeks, the new space was complete.
“Snow praised the town of West Haven and Mayor Borer for making the process smooth and efficient while providing a grant, through the ARPA Small Business Façade Grant Program, that made this opportunity possible. Adding a personal touch, the Snow’s daughter Emelia designed and arranged all of the flowers on the building’s exterior.”
Borer also thanked The Breakwall, located at 305 Captain Thomas Boulevard, for sponsoring the Acoustic Music Sundays and all the other contributions they make to the community.
“Immediately following the ceremony, the Breakwall was gracious enough to host The Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours,” the news release states. “They supplied a fantastic buffet with their famous Mac n’ Cheese, a variety of Wings, and more.
“The Breakwall, known for its American cuisine, offers a variety of weekly events, including trivia nights, open mic nights, bingo, and more. With flexible seating options for both large and small gatherings, the restaurant also provides catering and hosts private parties for any occasion.”
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GUILFORD — To make the best pizza dough, you must be relaxed and “do it with heart,” said the chef-owner of the new Lorenzo’s II, a sister of the famed Lorenzo’s Ristorante Italiano in West Haven.“You’ve got to be very calm,” said co-owner Leonel Lopez, who is partnered with the proprietors of the original Lorenzo’s, in business since the 1980s. Lopez had worked in the West Haven kitchen for 20 years.And if he’s feeling stressed that day, Lopez said he tries to “...
GUILFORD — To make the best pizza dough, you must be relaxed and “do it with heart,” said the chef-owner of the new Lorenzo’s II, a sister of the famed Lorenzo’s Ristorante Italiano in West Haven.
“You’ve got to be very calm,” said co-owner Leonel Lopez, who is partnered with the proprietors of the original Lorenzo’s, in business since the 1980s. Lopez had worked in the West Haven kitchen for 20 years.
And if he’s feeling stressed that day, Lopez said he tries to “cool off first and then you make it.” Patience is also key: “You stay there – you can’t leave the machine.”
Diners come from as far away as East Haven to the leafy plaza at 516 Route 80 in North Guilford for the Margherita pizza, his daughter Jennifer Lopez said.
Also popular is the banoffi, a banana cream and Oreo crust confection. Many order the Sicilian pizza, a square pie with a thick, but tender crust. Mashed potato pizza is another hit with customers.
“We want to bring the same kind of quality food, the same taste that people would get in West Haven, bringing it over here in Guilford,” daughter Jennifer Lopez said.
“It's a little bit of a food desert out here” she said referring to their location on a rural road.
Fresh house-made pastas such as gnocchi, cavatelli, lasagna, and pappardelle are on the menu made by the Coletta’s mother Assunta Coletta.
Lopez’s partners, brothers Lorenzo and Luciano Coletta, chose the location when it came up for rent after the former Farina Restaurant & Pizzeria closed earlier this year. The plaza is also family-owned.
“We like it up here," said Luciano Coletta. "There's a lot of opportunity to grow up here."
But the partners had hoped it would be a turnkey eatery.
“We thought we didn't have to do too much, but we ended up gutting the whole place," Luciano Coletta said.
New flooring, ceiling and lighting were installed and the dining area was prettied up. The kitchen was also upgraded with new stoves, ovens and pasta cookers. They kept the original brick pizza oven.
Lopez is one of the West Haven eatery’s two pizza dough chefs and it’s a job that demands talent, Lorenzo Coletta said.
He noted that they do New Haven style, with a more well-done crust, as well as cauliflower crusts, double crusts and Sicilian pizza.
They get a lot of calls for “the Sicilians,” he said, “because everything is New Haven style.”
But it’s here that dough-making skills are tested.
The dough is “flash cooked” the day before to make sure the crust will be cooked through, he said. Often other pizzerias may just double their dough to make a Sicilian pizza, which yields an undercooked middle, but not at Lorenzo’s.
Even though it is a thicker crust pizza, it’s not heavy. And that’s because the dough is allowed to rise for three to four hours, Luciano Coletta said.
“You got to give them time to rise," he said. "So, like I said, that's the key.”
When it comes to New Haven-style pizza, Lorenzo Coletta said, “Everybody chases the New Haven pizza. The pizza at New Haven is good everywhere.”
He might know a thing or two about pizza and Italian food. Lorenzo Coletta started in the restaurant business at age 13 busing tables at Danny’s Expresso in West Haven.
Danny’s was part of a local chain of popular Italian eateries often located in strip malls also in East Haven, Branford, Guilford, New Haven, North Haven and Hamden.
In 1979, Lorenzo Coletta joined Luigi’s in West Haven, then considered part of the New Haven pizza tradition, and in 1983 became a part-owner.
Luigi’s was rechristened as Lorenzo’s in 1987 after his brother Luciano became his partner, buying the other owners out.
Lorenzo’s, a family owned and run eatery, has had a nearly 40-year history in West Haven. It’s long been a popular spot for hosting events for West Haven sports teams and political and community groups, in addition to Yale University functions.
“We've been there a long time," Lorenzo Coletta said. "We're a big part of the community. You know, we love it. We love West Haven."
Now they are planning to bring a taste of West Haven to Route 80, Guilford.
The Southern Connecticut Diamond Club will honor nine people at its 17th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony this fall.From the Southern Connecticut Diamond ClubWEST HAVEN, CT — The Southern Connecticut Diamond Club, Inc., will hold its 17th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 23 at The Woodwinds in Branford. Among the honorees are Notre Dame High School of West Haven graduates Don Martone and Joe Tonelli Jr.The SCDC, a non-profit, voluntee...
From the Southern Connecticut Diamond Club
WEST HAVEN, CT — The Southern Connecticut Diamond Club, Inc., will hold its 17th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 23 at The Woodwinds in Branford. Among the honorees are Notre Dame High School of West Haven graduates Don Martone and Joe Tonelli Jr.
The SCDC, a non-profit, volunteer-run organization whose stated mission is to foster and promote the game of baseball in the southern Connecticut region, will recognize nine individuals in the Class of 2025. SCDC Hall of Fame members are selected by the group's Executive Board.
Tickets to the 2025 SCDC Hall of Fame dinner are $65 per person and will only be sold in advance. Tickets can be purchased online here or by contacting Rose V. Mentone, Executive Director, at [email protected].
Martone and Tonelli were teammates on Notre Dame’s first state championship baseball team, as the Green Knights captured the 1985 CIAC Class LL crown under coach Tom Marcucci. Tonelli’s father, Joe Tonelli Sr., was NDHS’s athletics director at the time. Both Marcucci and Tonelli Sr. are members of the SCDC Hall of Fame.
Martone also played football at Notre Dame, graduating in 1987. He continued his baseball career at Providence College, where he earned All-Big East Conference and All-New England honors. He possesses a bachelor’s degree in health policy and management from Providence (1991) and a master’s in sport administration from St. Thomas (Fla.) University.
Martone, a science teacher at Notre Dame for 18 years, coached the Green Knights’ baseball team from 2015-23 and led NDHS to the 2016 Class L state championship. He now teaches and coaches at North Country Union High School in Newport, Vermont.
Tonelli earned his Notre Dame diploma in 1986. He was an all-conference and all-New England third baseman at Assumption College (now University) before completing a bachelor’s degree in 1990. Tonelli has enjoyed a 33-year career as a college baseball coach. He was the first head coach at Albertus Magnus College (1990-2003) and recently completed his 13th season at the University of Bridgeport, where he is the all-time winningest coach. He was also the athletics director at Albertus for eight years and is in the Falcons’ Athletics Hall of Fame. Tonelli resides in East Haven.
Also being honored this year are Haddam-Killingworth High School coach Mark Brookes, former Milford High School and University of Connecticut standout Dave Lanese, longtime area coach and SCDC Board member Ron Luneau, former Notre Dame of West Haven player and coach and Providence College star Don Martone, University of Bridgeport coach Joe Tonelli Jr., and two-time Foran High all-stater and current coach Garrett Walker. Carl Perez of East Haven is the winner of the Andrew Gassira Memorial Umpire Award, and the late Ken Walker will be memorialized with the inaugural Dan Gooley Legends Award.
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