David Shutan, Past Parent
David Shutan, a long-time businessman in the New Haven, Conn., area who was also active in the local Jewish community, died on September 21, 2023, in Boca Raton, Fla., at the age of 97.
Born in New Haven, Conn., to Hymie and Anna Shutan, he was the founder and CEO of Foremost Foods Co., Inc. in West Haven, Conn., which was a member of the National Association of Meat Purveyors. He took an early retirement at age 60, selling the business to two of his most trusted employees who ran it until 2008.
His dream was to attend college on the G.I. Bill and become a medical doctor, but a perforated eardrum kept him from serving in World War II, and instead he entered his father’s business, which was a small meat market in downtown New Haven. Years later he opened his own meat packing plant and would often joke that he became an M.D. after all: as in meat dealer.
Apart from his sense of humor and a penchant for telling jokes, he was known for kindness and compassion. Interests and hobbies included painting, sculpting, tennis, bike riding and singing with a barbershop group at the Valencia Isles community in Boynton Beach, Fla., called the Hurricane Harmonizers. On his 90th birthday, he rode 90 miles on his bicycle. He also was a Freemason, wrote countless letters to the editor that were published in his hometown newspapers, The New Haven Register and the Sun Sentinel.
Shutan is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Irma, 94, of Boynton Beach, Florida; threechildren, Suzan Shutan and her spouse Mario Almedia of Hamden, Connecticut, Caron Shutan and her spouse Jay Yospe of Boca Raton, Florida, and Bruce Shutan and his spouse Gina Shutan of Portland, Oregon; as well as six grandchildren, Aaron Ziff and his spouse Shana Ziff of Cleveland, Ohio, Chava Ziff and her spouse Zach Halfon of Denver, Colorado, Ami Ziff and his spouse Becky Ziff of Scarsdale, New York, Elan Ziff and his spouse Ashley Ziff of Charlotte, North Carolina, Liam and Scarlet Shutan of Portland, Oregon; four step-grandchildren, Ryan Yospe and his spouse Andrea Yospe of Boynton Beach, Florida, Kimberly and Jarred Fischer Boca Raton, Florida; Sienna Bruinsma of Providence, Rhode Island, and Racquel Wright of Portland, Oregon; 10 great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Rubin Memorial Chapel in Boynton Beach, Fla., at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, September 27.
Hamden Hall extends condolences to the Shutan family during this difficult time.
Born in New Haven, Conn., to Hymie and Anna Shutan, he was the founder and CEO of Foremost Foods Co., Inc. in West Haven, Conn., which was a member of the National Association of Meat Purveyors. He took an early retirement at age 60, selling the business to two of his most trusted employees who ran it until 2008.
His dream was to attend college on the G.I. Bill and become a medical doctor, but a perforated eardrum kept him from serving in World War II, and instead he entered his father’s business, which was a small meat market in downtown New Haven. Years later he opened his own meat packing plant and would often joke that he became an M.D. after all: as in meat dealer.
Apart from his sense of humor and a penchant for telling jokes, he was known for kindness and compassion. Interests and hobbies included painting, sculpting, tennis, bike riding and singing with a barbershop group at the Valencia Isles community in Boynton Beach, Fla., called the Hurricane Harmonizers. On his 90th birthday, he rode 90 miles on his bicycle. He also was a Freemason, wrote countless letters to the editor that were published in his hometown newspapers, The New Haven Register and the Sun Sentinel.
Shutan is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Irma, 94, of Boynton Beach, Florida; threechildren, Suzan Shutan and her spouse Mario Almedia of Hamden, Connecticut, Caron Shutan and her spouse Jay Yospe of Boca Raton, Florida, and Bruce Shutan and his spouse Gina Shutan of Portland, Oregon; as well as six grandchildren, Aaron Ziff and his spouse Shana Ziff of Cleveland, Ohio, Chava Ziff and her spouse Zach Halfon of Denver, Colorado, Ami Ziff and his spouse Becky Ziff of Scarsdale, New York, Elan Ziff and his spouse Ashley Ziff of Charlotte, North Carolina, Liam and Scarlet Shutan of Portland, Oregon; four step-grandchildren, Ryan Yospe and his spouse Andrea Yospe of Boynton Beach, Florida, Kimberly and Jarred Fischer Boca Raton, Florida; Sienna Bruinsma of Providence, Rhode Island, and Racquel Wright of Portland, Oregon; 10 great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Rubin Memorial Chapel in Boynton Beach, Fla., at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, September 27.
Hamden Hall extends condolences to the Shutan family during this difficult time.
Hamden Hall Country Day School
1108 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
About Us
Hamden Hall Country Day School, located less than two miles from Yale University, is one of the best private schools in Connecticut to enroll elementary, middle, and high school students. Our nurturing and inclusive community provides a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.
