Louis Dest, 88, formerly of Eastern St., New Haven, passed away April 14, 2012 in Branford. He was married to the love of his life, the late Mary Clemente Dest. Lou was born May 31, 1922, the son of the late William and Anna Quinn Dest and worked for Knudsen and Sealtest Dairies as a milkman. He lived in Hamden most of his life. He enjoyed collecting antiques and baseball cards and was an avid fan of John Wayne movies and the New York Yankees. He was pre-deceased by his brothers William, Joseph and John Dest, who along with Lou all serves in the Second World War. He is survived by a daugher, Charlene (Walter) Wasilewski of New Haven, a son, William (Susan) Dest, of Clinton, and grandchildren, Natalie (John) Geigle, Alexa (Sean) Krane, Melissa Dest, Katelyn (David) Bushey and Ryan Dest and great-grandchildren, Philomena and Zoe Krane, Alexander Wasilewski, Brendan Shields and Kiernan Geigle. The family would like to thank the staff of VIPAS Hospice Care and of Branford Hillsfor their care and support during the last eight years. Funeral Tuesday at 8:45 from the Peter H. Torello & Son Funeral Home, 1022 Dixwell Ave., Hamden and at St. Therese's Church, North Haven, at 9:30 AM. Interment, with military honors, in All Saints Cemetery. Friends may call Monday from 4 to 7 P.M.