Paul M. Canelli

Paul M. Canelli, age 68, of Hamden, husband of Connie A. Rogers, passed away suddenly at home in his sleep on May 1, 2024. Born in New Haven on January 21, 1956, he was the son of the late Rudolph (Rudy) and Frances Canelli. Paul is survived by his daughters, Dana (Kurt) of Pittsburgh, PA, Jennifer (Jeremy) of Irvine, CA, and Alison (Kevin) of Boston, MA, as well as grandson Nathan, of Pittsburgh, and many loving extended family members.

Paul grew up in East Haven, CT and spent many happy summers at family-owned Camp Jolly in Cheshire. He graduated from EHHS and was looking forward to going to his 50th High School Reunion in a few weeks. Paul was proud to attend Choate as a post-graduate where he honed his academics, played guard on the basketball team, and met many lifelong friends.

His studies continued at Connecticut College in New London where he majored in Zoology, minored in keg delivery, and played on the basketball team. At Conn, Paul met the love of his life, Connie, and together they made incredible memories with their wonderful group of Camel friends.

Paul and Connie married at Choate in 1981 and honeymooned in Disney World, a trip they replicated with their family many times over the years. Soon after, they moved to Spring Glen where they raised their three cherished daughters. Paul loved being involved in his girls’ activities and was especially excited to coach their basketball and softball teams. The family spent their summers at Paradise Country Club where Paul would swish his young daughters around the pool and tuck them into their sleeping bags at campouts. As his girls grew, he continued to follow their activities through high school, college and beyond.  He was so proud of the accomplished women his daughters have grown to be.

At the core of his life was his career as a commercial banker. Most recently, Paul was a Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager for Bank of America. Over the years he also worked in the Hartford and New Haven regions at CBT, Fleet Bank and Citizens Bank.  Paul was very dedicated to his responsibilities. He was knowledgeable and diligent, and cared deeply for all of his colleagues and clients.

Paul was an avid sports fan and had the memorabilia and encyclopedic knowledge to prove it. His favorite team was the New York Yankees. One of his cherished memories was winning Yankee Banner Day as a child when he got the chance to meet his idol, Mickey Mantle. Paul was also a die-hard UConn Men’s Basketball and Football fan and took great pleasure in going to games and tailgate parties with friends.

He had a passion for arranging family excursions to different parts of the country, especially if he could catch a sports event. Recently, Paul traveled to Las Vegas to see two hockey games and play the table ponies, and he also traveled to Sarasota for Yankees spring training. He had upcoming plans to see the Yankees play the Padres and the Angels in CA. During baseball season, a trip to see family in Pittsburgh always included a Pirates game or two…or three.

Paul had a keen interest in music and loved seeing bands play live. The last concert he attended was just days ago, seeing Tim McGraw in Pittsburgh. He enjoyed it so much!  He had tickets to see other favorite groups this summer including Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, and Earth Wind and Fire.

Paul was very social and never missed an opportunity to connect with people. He relished a good glass of wine or a craft beer, and would generously share both the drinks and his assessments of them with others. For family and friends alike, Paul was the source for entertainment. He planned the annual Family Super Bowl Contest with special prizes for the losers as well as the winners, and anyone who ever traveled with him was subjected to the rules of his Least Complainer Contest. If you were interested in backyard fun, there were games such as ping-pong, pickleball, corn hole, ladder ball, and wiffle ball, among others.

There are so many family members and friends who were very dear to Paul. He lived a happy and fulfilled life, but one that was too short in years. Though we mourn his passing, his zest for life will be a treasured memory.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit with Paul’s family on Wednesday, May 8th, from 3-7 p.m. at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden and may attend his funeral service on Thursday, May 9th at 11:00 a.m. at Spring Glen Church, 1825 Whitney Ave, Hamden. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Roberto Clemente Foundation or the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven. To send condolences, please see obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.