RIP: Tony Milano, Former City Comptroller, State Budget Director

He was genial, thoughtful, and loved talking politics. He served as finance official for Bridgeport and state of Connecticut. Tony Milano passed away on Wednesday. He was 82. His sister, Gloria, was Democratic registrar of voters.

His obituary.

Anthony Vincent Milano, age 82, of Trumbull, the beloved husband of Helen Supple Milano, died on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Bridgeport on November 17, 1939, he was the youngest son of the late Joseph and Rose Dattolo Milano.

He was a proud graduate of Warren Harding High School class of 1957 and worked tirelessly on class reunions for over 50 years, along with his wife. He then graduated from the University of Bridgeport, class of 1971 (he attended night school for 11 years while working and raising a family).

He was Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) for the State of Connecticut from 1975 to 1991 under Governors Ella Grasso and William O’Neill.

Before joining OPM, he was the Municipal Finance Officer at City Trust Bank and Comptroller of the City of Bridgeport. After leaving OPM, he was Chief Executive Officer of the Metropolitan District Commission, Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and William A. O’Neill Chair at Central Connecticut State University, and Interim President and Executive Director of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

He served on the Board of Directors of St. Vincent’s Medical Center and its affiliates, St. Joseph’s Manor, and The Kennedy Center. He also served on many committees at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Bridgeport, where he and his family were members for over 40 years. He was awarded the papal Honor of Knighthood in the Order of St. Gregory the Great in 1992 from Pope John Paul II by the Diocese of Bridgeport.

In addition to his wife of 58 years, Helen, survivors include his two daughters, Caroline Milano Bonazzo and her husband, Vincent of Trumbull and Laura Milano Albert and her husband Joseph Jr. of Portsmouth, RI, his grandson, John Bonazzo, a sister, Olga Makar of Milford and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and godchildren. He is also survived by two lifelong friends, Ivar W. Mitchell of Vero Beach, FL and James T. Shannon of Stratford.

Aside from his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Carmella Martire and Gloria Milano and two brothers, Angelo and Joseph Milano.

Tony’s daughters would like to thank the many friends and family who helped during a very difficult time, along with the pastoral care departments at St. Catherine’s and St. Vincent’s, especially Mary Ellen Kovacs and Bill Hoey, who met their father’s spiritual needs during his final days.

Friends may greet the family on Monday, February 21, 2022 from 4 to 7 PM at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 AM directly in St. Catherine of Siena Church, 220 Shelton Road, Trumbull. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, Stratford. Please wear face masks at the funeral home and church. Family and friends can also livestream the funeral at stcathtrumbull.com for up to one week after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Swim Across the Sound c/o St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport CT 06606 or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.

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