Henry C. Panza Sr.

PANZA, HENRY C., SR. Henry C. Panza Sr., 81, of Hamden, formerly of West Haven, passed away on November 23, 2010. Loving husband of Elizabeth "Betty" Santacqua Panza. Born in New Haven son of the late Prisco and Filomena Ardolino Panza. He is also survived by his children Prisco (Gina) Panza of Milford, Henry C. "Hap" (Teresa Ringer) Panza Jr. of Branford, Philomena (Dory Battista) Panza of MD, and Joseph Panza of Hamden, his four grandchildren Elise Marie, Kaitlyn Elizabeth, Scott Michael, and Emily Anne, his 6 step grandchildren, his brother Prisco (Rosemarie) Panza of FL, and his sister-in-law Philomena (Tony) Buonome. Henry served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1950-53. He worked for 22 years at West Haven Plumbing as office and purchasing manager. In 1972 Henry moved over to the Winnholesale Organization, then known as NO Nelson. Henry was one of the major contributors to this organization for 38 years. In 1972 Henry opened Dapsco Northeast in Branford to serve as a service company for a few local wholesale plumbing and heating supply companies. He nurtured these fledgling companies, and in 1975 decided to invest in Derby NO Nelson as president. He grew that company to become one of the top in the NO Nelson network. He personally trained 10 men to become presidents. Training those presidents and nurturing them through hard times was his greatest satisfaction. In 1994 he stepped aside and turned over the reins of the company (now Shelton Winnelson) to his son Prisco. He continued as a valued employee and sage advisor to all Shelton Winnelson employees until the day he died. Henry will be sorely missed throughout the WIN network and in the local wholesale community. Additionally, Henry was active in many civic organizations in West Haven including The West Haven Little League, WH Biddy basketball, Center-Allingtown Basketball league and The WH Midget Football League. He was past officer of both The Notre Dame HS and Sacred Heart Academy Fathers Club. He worked for countless years as usher and volunteer at St. Paul 's Church. Henry was a giving man, possessing quiet strength. He remained supportive of his wife of 60 years, Betty, in addition to his family, friends, and a host of worthwhile causes. The family would like to thank the staff at the Hospital of St. Raphael's Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit. The hours for visitation will be Friday from 4-8pm at the West Haven Funeral Home at the Green. His funeral procession will leave the funeral home on Saturday morning at 9:30 for a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Paul 's Church at 10am. Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to either the Hospital of St. Raphael's 1450 Chapel Street New Haven, CT 06511 or St. Paul's Church 41 Alling St. West Haven, CT 06516. For online condolences, please visit our website at www.westhavenfuneral.com