David Joseph D’Agostino, 72, of Hamden passed away peacefully after a prolonged illness on September 21, 2024, at the CT Hospice in Branford. Dave was born October 16, 1951, in New Haven, CT, the son of Annette and Joseph D’Agostino. He graduated from the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy and served on the Hamden Police Department as a supernumerary. In 1979, Dave joined the Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) Police Department and held the positions of Officer, Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Captain, Head of the Field Training Officer’s Program, Department Firearms Instructor, Interim Parking Director, and Acting Director. He retired in 2021 holding the rank of Investigative Lieutenant. Dave also was the Co-Owner and Private Investigator of Constitution State Investigations and held an Insurance Adjustor’s license. He loved Law Enforcement and was sharing advice on personal safety even during his retirement, often holding “court” as he would call it from his hospital room. Dave also had a love of writing, whether it was Hospital Safety Policies or writing for local town papers.

As a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus belonging to the St. Paul VI Council #14664, Dave held various leadership positions including Deputy Grand Knight. He was also a member of the Hamden Farmington Canal Commission. A devout Catholic, while infirmed at home, he spent his mornings listening to the Daily Mass and the Rosary.

In his spare time, Dave loved to watch police dramas on television, most notably, “Blue Bloods,” as well as soccer and football. He was a connoisseur of Italian food and desserts, learning how to cook from one of the local restauranteurs in New Haven. Dave was always the consummate gentleman even in the face of illness and adversity. Before any health care professional had the chance to ask Dave how he was doing, he was inquiring about their day and welfare. His affable nature and love of people earned him the nickname of “Officer Smiley.” Dave loved animals, most notably birds. His homecare LPN purchased a bird feeder for him, and he loved watching the various species from the kitchen window.

David is survived by his wife of 28 years, Gina (Piscitelli) D’Agostino and his goddaughter, Marcella Violano. He is pre-deceased by his loving Miniature Schnauzers, Sunny, Queen Victoria, and Lady Ruby.

The family would like to thank his home care LPN, Cynthia and his Nurse Aides, Maylene, Edie, and Christina who provided impeccable care, the staff of Atrinity Home Health Care, and his cardiology PA, Becket Greten-Harrison from Hearts at Home, as well as the staff of the CT Hospice for their compassionate end of life care.

The visiting hours will be Thursday, September 26th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Rita’s Church/St. Paul VI Parish, 1620 Whitney Avenue, Hamden on Friday morning, September 27th at 11:00. Entombment will follow in the All Saints Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dave’s memory to CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405, St. Jude Children’s Hospital https://www.stjude.org/give.html, or St. Paul VI Parish, 2819 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06518.