Joseph Tartagni, 92, of West Haven, passed away peacefully on Monday October 31, 2022, at the Connecticut Hospice, Branford with his loving family by his side. He was born in West Haven, Connecticut on December 31, 1929, son of the late Primo and Giulia Tartagni and was predeceased by Carol Cirasuolo Tartagni, his loving and devoted wife of over 66 years. A lifelong area resident, Joe was perhaps best known as the owner of Milford Amusement Center, a legendary local arcade and billiards establishment, which he successfully operated for over 25 years. He was an avid golfer and later became a partner in several area golf courses, including Grassy Hill and Oronoque Country Clubs. Joe had a love of the outdoors and would often be found chipping golf balls at the park with his children and grandchildren. At age 80 Joe played in the Pro-Am round at the Arnold Palmer invitational tournament. He was thrilled to be able to meet Mr. Palmer personally and chat with him at dinner. As a young man, Joe honorably served his country in the US Army and received the Army of Occupation Medal of Germany. In later years, he enjoyed spending winters on the water in Naples, Florida, with Carol, until her passing last December. Joe was the very proud father of four children, Carol Tartagni MacLeman, Dr. Joseph Tartagni (Donna), Lisa Tartagni Cellini, and Susan Tartagni. He also had 10 grandchildren, Jennifer MacLeman (Shane Sudduth), Sara Boyd (Lee), Kate MacLeman-Haugh (Tommy Haugh), Dr. Jason Tartagni (Dr. Adrienne Cicero Tartagni), Justin Tartagni, Stephen Cellini, Timothy Cellini, Joseph Tartagni, Caroline Pacelli, Nicholas Pacelli, and six great grandchildren Jack and Tyler Boyd, Jesse and Ian MacLeman, and Olivia and Jackson Kenyon, who he loved immensely. The second of six children, Joe is survived by his brother, Sante Tartagni (Jean), and four sisters, Anna Marie Davis, Elma Korzick, Emma Tartagni Prunier, and Elizabeth Jasiorkowski (Joe). He was predeceased by his son-in-law George MacLeman.
The visiting hours will be Saturday morning, Nov. 5th from 9:00 to 10:30 at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A service will be conducted in the funeral home at 10:30. Interment with full military honors will follow in Mount Saint Peter’s Cemetery, Derby. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (donations@michaeljfox.org).
Lisa and family,
I was so sorry to read of the passing of your Dad. Lisa, it has been many years since our paths have crossed but I wanted to extend my sympathy. I lost my dad almost 2 years ago and I miss him so much. He enjoyed taking my 2 boys to Milford Amusement so often when they were young. May your memories bring you peace .
Sincerely,
Annette Livi Knobloch
Joey was perhaps one of the most influential people in my life! The Milford Recreation center was my second home right out of high school as I was there from 11am to closing, seven days a week! Joey always made you feel that you were his best friend and always showed interest in what you were doing. I always tried to help him with the cleaning upon closing. And his stories about selling newspapers at Savin Rock when he was young were nothing short of a Mark Twain novel! But most importantly, Joey would always ask me “What are you doing here? Go back to school and get an education.” And Joey I did what you told me and became a lawyer! It was all because of you and I thank you! I loved you, Joey.
Thank you so much for sharing! It’s different to put into words how special of a man he was. We were blessed