Donald John LaBanca

Donald John LaBanca, 96, of Northford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday), February 11th, 2025 at Wadsworth Glen Health & Rehabilitation Center, Middletown. He was the beloved husband of the late Grace Crossley LaBanca. Donald was born in New Haven on July 12th, 1928, and was the son of the late Dominic and Mary Puglisi LaBanca. Donald grew up in the Hill section of New Haven and attended Hillhouse High School before joining the military at the age of 16. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1949. Upon his exit from the Navy, Donald worked for various businesses until he founded Snooky's Ice Cream in 1956. He took great pride in this business and continued it for almost 20 years, collecting countless memories. After he closed Snooky's, Donald became a bus driver for Connecticut Transit until his retirement in 1990. Donald's happiest times came after his retirement, when he and his wife moved to Sherman Mills, Maine. It was there that they found a home with 60 acres of land and a garden the size of a parking lot. Donald and his wife spent all their free time in that garden, growing everything imaginable. Father of Donald (Karen) LaBanca and Donna (Vincent) Ferrie. Grandfather of Gregory (Katharine) LaBanca, Kevin (Ashley) LaBanca, Vincent Ferrie III, and Dominic "DJ" Ferrie. Great-grandfather of William, Daniel, and Ruby Grace LaBanca. Donald was predeceased by his brothers James and Joseph LaBanca. Private funeral services were entrusted to The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, North Haven, CT 06473. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Donald, please visit our Tree Store.