Italian Of The Year Announced In West Haven

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — Mayor Dorinda Borer and the West Haven Italian Heritage Committee will honor the late great Vinnie Carr as the city’s posthumous Italian American of the Year at the 26th annual Italian Heritage Celebration.

Carr, the grandson of emigrant grandparents from Naples, Italy, was known around West Haven for entertaining audiences as the dynamic leader of Vinnie Carr and the Party Band and the Vinnie Carr Orchestra and for serving as a musical ambassador of his proud Italian ancestry.

His widow, Denise LaMonica Carr, will receive the Italian American of the Year award on his behalf during a City Hall ceremony at noon Friday, Oct. 10.

Accompanied by Italian music and guided by Borer, members of the committee and the West Haven Italian American Civic Association will escort Carr’s wife and their children, Vinnie Carr Jr., 32, and Daniella Carr, 28, to the steps of City Hall for his posthumous recognition.

“This award is bestowed posthumously on Vinnie Carr and is presented annually to a resident of Italian descent who exemplifies the values of our community while demonstrating exceptional service and dedication,” Borer said. “As a long-standing Westie, Vinnie personified these enduring qualities through his music and his inspiring contributions to our vibrant Italian American community.”

Borer and longtime committee member Paul M. Frosolone tapped Carr for this year’s honor during a July visit at the retired performer’s West Shore home.

Sadly, less than a month later, on Aug. 26, Carr died at age 78 after a long illness.

Denise Carr will pay tribute to her late husband’s Italian lineage with scores of friends and loved ones, along with an array of dignitaries and descendants of folks from the old country clad in red, white and green.

She said Carr was “honored” and “looked forward” to receiving the award from Borer and the committee for his Italian musical legacy.

“When people would ask if Vinnie gets tired working all day at different events, especially at Christmas time, he would say: ‘I’ll never get tired of this. I don’t consider what I do as work. If I can make people feel good with my music and entertainment, then I had a great day!’”

Carr Jr. added: “My father was a great man who definitely touched many lives all across West Haven and Greater New Haven, including seniors and people of all generations. He did it his way, and his way was what made him happy. Music was his passion, but his first passion was his family.”

At the City Hall ceremony, Denise Carr will receive a glass-framed citation from Borer for her husband’s civic-minded good works.

She will also receive an Italian flag from Frosolone, the president of the Italian American Civic Association, and the association’s Ladies Auxiliary.

The cultural event will include remarks by Borer and her chief of staff, Rick Spreyer, the master of ceremonies. Before an Italian blessing, West Haven’s own Liz Levy will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the Italian national anthem, “II Canto degli Italiani.”

In observance of Italian American Heritage Month, West Haven recognizes the unique traditions of Americans of Italian descent and celebrates the story of generations of Italian sons and daughters who came to the United States seeking hope and opportunity to reach for the American dream.

Carr’s paternal and maternal grandparents left their homes on the western coast of southern Italy and came to America for a better future, settling in New Haven.

In the daring spirit of Italians who charted a course for millions of immigrants who followed their crossing to America, Carr and his grandparents are a testament to the diversity and promise of the United States.

Carr was born Vincent Stephen Carfora in New Haven in 1947 to Pasquale and Julia Parillo Carfora.

A 1965 graduate of Wilbur Cross High School, Carr served in the Army before becoming a New Haven police officer. He later focused his attention on his popular band, playing the keyboard and performing music from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s.

According to Denise Carr, the Vinnie Carr Orchestra performed for countless occasions back in the day, playing two to three shows a day in lounges, dance halls and senior centers.

Vinnie Carr also served as the West Haven Senior Center’s resident musician for more than 40 years and received a city citation at the center’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2018, thanking him “for all the memories.”

He regularly headlined the West Haven Green and boardwalk and provided the Italian music at the city’s heritage events.

Denise Carr said that one of her husband’s fondest memories was performing for “a sea of people” at the 1975 Italian festival in New Haven’s Wooster Square.

“Playing music for live audiences and watching them dance and sing in response to his music made Vinnie happiest,” she said.

Borer added: “For over a half-century, Vinnie Carr brought joy to so many in the New Haven area with his music and talent. His captivating performances at local Italian festivals and on community greens cemented his legacy as a top entertainer.”

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Carr served as then-Mayor H. Richard Borer Jr.’s one-man house band and sidekick on “The Mayor’s Office,” Borer’s public access TV show at the time.

In his private life, Carr loved to travel and vacation with his family.

“When not traveling, he would relax at home, tanning in the sun and enjoying a cigar,” Denise Carr said.

The late great Vinnie Carr, West Haven’s posthumous 2025 Italian American of the Year. (Contributed Photo)

This press release was produced by the City of West Haven. The views expressed here are the author’s own.