Obituary for Sr. Michael W. Dalton

Michael W. Dalton, Sr., of Narragansett, RI, formerly of Ansonia, CT died peacefully on January 19th, 2016 at Yale New Haven Hospital with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth (Bonnie) McFarland Dalton and the late Nancy Renehan Dalton. He was born on February 21st, 1939 to the late Stephen and Helen (Karg) Dalton. Michael was a graduate of University of Connecticut. He earned a Masters Degree at the University of Bridgeport and did further graduate studies at Saint Joseph University. Michael spent his career as a teacher and administrator in the Ansonia Public School System. He served in many schools, ending his career as principal of Mead School. His career was his passion and he loved his interactions with teachers, students, and families. In his retirement, he was an adjunct supervisor in the School of Education at Sacred Heart University for ten years and a substitute teacher at Saint Joseph High School. He was an active member of the Ansonia community. He served as the President of the library board for many years and an active member of the Democratic Town Committee. In recent years, he enjoyed being a member of the Bonnet Shores Community where he would be found greeting people on his beach. Michael was a communicant of the Church of the Assumption in Ansonia, CT as well as Saint Thomas Moore Parish in Narragansett, RI. His deep faith carried him through life’s ups and downs with a smile on his face. As a proud Irishmen, he was a member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernian in both the Valley of Connecticut and Newport, RI. He could be seen marching in the New Haven Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and walking through life with his sheleleigh. Michael’s greatest joy in life besides his wife was his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was the loving father of six children, Michael W. Dalton Jr., Tara (Robert) Sires, Stephen Dalton, Keirsten (Adam) Hallet, David (Amy) Dalton, and Sarah (Robert) Muoio, and proud grandfather of, Tegan, Acacia, and Michael Dalton, Keirsten and Brandon Sires, Ciara, Daniel, and Rylee Dalton, Kiley, Dylan, Madison, and Payton Hallet, Mackenzie and Morgan Dalton, and Nico, Gabriella, and Anthony Muoio, and great grandfather of Liviana, Milani, and Isla. In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, Michael is survived by his daughters­in­law Cheryl Halligan and Lori Phelps Dalton, and his brother­in­law Michael (Georgette) McFarland, as well as his Dalton cousins and Hale/Hansen family. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and his faithful canine companion Harley. Besides his family, Michael valued his close friendships that he maintained throughout his life. His friends were family to him. Michael will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, his charming personality, his genuine joy in life, and his beautiful blue eyes. Life is good was the motto he lived by, and he was never seen without a smile on his face. Friends and family are called to attend his funeral service on Friday, January 22nd, 2016 at 10:30 am (DIRECTLY) at the Church of the Assumption, 91 North Cliff Street, Ansonia, CT. Burial will be immediately following at Pine Grove Cemetery. The Jenkins King & Malerba Funeral Home, 12 Franklin St. Ansonia, is entrusted with arrangements. (www.jenkinskingfh.com) There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Michael to support educational programs for Valley children who are less fortunate; a cause which was very dear to his heart. Please make contributions to the Valley Community Foundation, 253­A Elizabeth St. Derby, CT 06418.