THE VALLEY – Michael E. Pacowta, a public servant and former Shelton mayor, was remembered Tuesday (Aug. 18) for making the Valley a better place to work and live.

Pacowta passed away Saturday from acute leukemia at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was 72 years old.

Pacowta was the mayor of Shelton from 1985 until 1991. He was the president of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce from 1991 to 1994. 

Pacowta previously worked as a certified public accountant and was the director of alumni affairs for Quinnipiac University.

Later he was the president of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce, and was an employment specialist with The Workplace Inc.

Most recently he was the president and chief executive officer of The Valley United Way, serving from 2023 until retiring in 2025.

“He was a true statesman and a friend to many,” said former state Rep. Jack Betkoski. “Mike loved the Valley and his family. He was full of enthusiasm, full of love for the Valley, and he did a lot to move Shelton ahead during his tenure in office. He did a great job for both the Valley and Waterbury chambers of commerce.”

Jack Walsh, a former Valley United Way president, said Pacowta will be missed.

“He devoted almost his entire life to the Valley in community service as the head of city government, the leader of the business community and finally as a leader in the charitable and social service area. He is going to be missed for all his valued contributions to making the Valley a better place to live and work,” Walsh said in an email.

Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell knew Pacowta for 25 years.

“The Valley lost a great public servant with the passing of dear Mike Pacowta,” Purcell said. “In the 25 years I have known Mike, he was always a true gentleman who led with integrity and compassion, and he will be sorely missed.”

Purcell said Pacowta’s crowning achievement as Shelton’s mayor was the construction of the Shelton Senior Center. He also said Pacowta’s work in public service as an employment specialist at The Workplace, Inc. helped countless unemployed people assimilate back into the workforce.

Shelton’s Jimmy Tickey, vice chairman of the Connecticut Democrats, considered Pacowta an influence.

“Mike Pacowta was dedicated to our community through civic, business and political life where he made measurable, positive impacts to Shelton and our Naugatuck Valley,” Tickey said. “At an early age he met with me as I began to get involved locally and he spent time mentoring me and others to make a difference locally.”

This story will be updated when services are announced.