José R. Concepción

José R. Concepción, 58, of East Haven, Connecticut died peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at Yale-New Haven Hospital, York St. Campus with his loving family by his side. José was born in New Haven, Connecticut on November 10, 1967, the beloved son of John and Josefa "Fefi" (Cajigas) Concepción of East Haven, and had resided in East Haven for the past twenty years.

José attended St. Peter’s School in New Haven and later graduated from Notre Dame High School of West Haven in 1986. From an early age, he demonstrated a strong sense of duty and commitment to serving others, which guided much of his professional life.

He began his career at Yale New Haven Hospital in security before pursuing law enforcement. José graduated from the Police Academy and served as a West Haven Police Officer, where he later advanced to the role of K9 Officer. His time in law enforcement reflected his dedication to protecting his community and working closely with both colleagues and the public.

After his service in Connecticut, José relocated to Florida, where he began a new chapter in the automotive industry. He worked with Toyota dealerships and built a strong reputation for professionalism and leadership. Eventually, he returned home to Connecticut, where he continued to advance in the field, working his way up to General Sales Manager. Later, he joined Acura of Milford as a Sales Professional, continuing to bring integrity and dedication to his work.

José had a deep love for sports, especially the New York Yankees and the Chicago Bears. Some of his most cherished memories included attending Yankees games with his father and family. In a special milestone, he attended his first Chicago Bears game in Chicago last year.

Faith and service were also important parts of José’s life. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, reflecting his commitment to faith, fellowship, and community.

Above all, José valued his family and friends deeply. He cherished time spent with loved ones, and one of his most recent joyful moments was attending his niece’s wedding in Simsbury, a place he came to love.

José will be remembered for his loyalty, his strong work ethic, his love of family, and the meaningful relationships he built throughout his life.

In addition to his parents, José is survived by his sister Lillian C. (Chip) Brainerd, two nieces, Victoria (Robert) Fucci and Rebecca (Matt) Pellet, one nephew Mishka (Iris) Brainerd, and his godson Giovanni Rivera, all of East Haven. He is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

José's family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, June 20th from 8:15 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. at the Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven. His funeral cortege will depart the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Pompeii Church (St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish), 80 Foxon Rd., East Haven. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions in José's name may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut, 56 Commerce Dr., Trumbull, CT 06611, http://ct.wish.org or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, https://www.st.jude.org washingtonmemorialfh.com

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