Obituary: Maria 'Toni' Paine, 77, Of West Haven

WEST HAVEN, CT - (From West Haven Funeral Home) Maria “Toni” Paine, age 77, of West Haven passed away on January 30, 2022. She was the wife of the late Captain Mark E. Paine Sr. (WHFD). Maria was born in New Haven, daughter of the late Frank and Rose Bartolomeo Esposito.

She is survived by her children, Mark (Sharon) Paine of Milford, Rosemarie (David Leff) Paine of West Haven, Frank (Christine) Paine of Milford and LeighAnn (Rich) Weber of Milford, her thirteen grandchildren Rebecca Paine, Mark Paine III, Katherine, Frank, Abigail, Madeline, Michael and Caroline Paine, Carly Rose and Jack Weber, and Peter, Cara and Jacob Leff, her brother Lawrence “Larry” Esposito of West Haven, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Toni was born in New Haven but lived most of her life in West Haven. Her passion for education began as a student in the West Haven public schools. After graduation, she received her hairdressing license and worked at a salon on Whitney Avenue in Hamden which she enjoyed immensely.

Given Toni's love of people and creativity, she was a natural. It was at this time that Toni was blessed to meet Mark Paine - also a lifelong Westie - who was pursuing a career in firefighting.

While Toni's parents were very protective of their daughter, Mark met their immediate approval, not only because of his good qualities (obvious to anyone who met him), but also because his father Howard’s second job was driving a cab alongside Frank Esposito.

Mark and Toni's affection and compatibility were obvious. Within a year of their meeting, they were engaged. After marrying in 1964, they welcomed their first child the following year.
Toni held down the home front in her role as the attentive wife of a firefighter. She was also instrumental in every aspect of her children’s lives as a PTA volunteer, hockey mom, and assistant softball coach.

Her role extended to family and friends alike, as she always made time for her family and anyone else who needed help or assistance of any kind.

In her parents' later years, she served as primary caregiver, and was boundlessly attentive to their every need. Her life of service carried to the Church as she also somehow found time to be a Eucharistic minister, parishioner, and volunteer at both Our Lady of Victory in West Haven and at Saint Peter’s (formerly located in New Haven).

In 1979, when all of her children were in school, Toni took a job at a local paper company. As she did with all of her endeavors, she approached the job with her amazing work ethic, intelligence, intensity, and love of people.

She began at the lowest level entry position, but quickly rose to office manager and then to an outside sales position. As a salesperson, Toni was an immediate stand out--not just because of her natural talents, but also because the rest of the sales force were men with college degrees. Toni’s drive and record led to her being featured as part of a national ad campaign for the company.

In the years that followed, Toni pursued a longstanding dream, a college degree. Despite losing her husband suddenly at age 44, she continued her studies while still maintaining full time employment.

In 1994, she received her B.S. from Southern Connecticut State University. In her later career, she managed the West Haven Municipal Federal Credit Union.

Toni was a master of creative solutions - and cooking! When she discovered that credit union member participation in governance was lagging, she brilliantly devised a solution that food should be served at the annual meetings.

She took it upon herself to personally cater the event. Shortly after the first annual meeting, participation was no longer a problem as the annual meeting became a must attend event. She was also known for her kindheartedness to all of her members.

In 2000, Toni welcomed the first three of her many grandchildren. She spent many happy days and vacations with her grandchildren, both spoiling them and fostering a love of family and life.

In 2003, Toni was diagnosed with a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and elected to retire. Retirement provided her more time to improve the lives of others. Officially, she became very active with the West Haven Board of Education, serving 12 years in various capacities as an elected official, and also in West Haven democratic politics.

She unofficially served as everyone’s friend and sounding board. As many in West Haven can attest, her acts of kindness often involved food, advice, encouragement, and prayer. She was a provider of all forms of nourishment to all those with which she came in contact.

Even as she faced greater illness, her caregiving continued. More often than not, she showed up at Smilow Cancer Center with food for the nursing staff.

The hours for visitation will be on Friday from 4-7pm at the West Haven Funeral Home at the Green. Her funeral procession will leave the funeral home at on Saturday morning at 9:30 for a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Victory Church at 10am.

Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to WHHS Senior Scholarships c/o West Haven High School, 1 McDonough Plaza, West Haven, CT 06516. Send to the attention of Yvonne Corrado and reference Maria Paine.

*****MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SERVICES*****