About Us

We take pride in our family history which spans four generations. The James T. Toohey Mortuary was established in 1947 by James and Ellen Shay Toohey. Both James and Ellen came from families who owned and operated funeral homes as far back as the early 1900s. James was the grandson of T.E. Donovan and was associated with his funeral home in Shelton, and Ellen was the daughter of Edward J. Shay, whose funeral home was located in Ansonia. Together James and Ellen opened their own funeral home in Shelton after their marriage.

In 1972, their son, Edward J. Toohey graduated from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City and joined his parents in running the funeral home which then became theJames T. Toohey & Son Funeral Home. 

Edward was a member of many local organizations and was active in the community just like his parents. After the passing of James in 1998, Edward and his mother Ellen continued the tradition of serving families with compassion and dedication to the community.

Shortly after the sudden death of Edward Sr. in 2010, his son, Edward J. Toohey Jr., a 2004 graduate of Shelton High School and graduate of Briarwood College, Southington, CT joined his grandmother in the family business. Edward Jr. is also active in many local organizations and continues to serve families with the same compassion and dedication as his father and grandparents have done