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Chris Helland, 45, of New Haven passed away June 25 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was born on June 8, 1975, in New Haven to Arne and Regina (Esposito) Helland of East Haven, and leaves four siblings, Arne Helland, Jr., of East Haven, Gabriel Helland of New Haven, Mary Helland of East Haven, and Janie Diaz (Eduardo) of North Haven. Chris is also survived by four nephews, Frank Scalo (Stephanie Bracero), Gabriel Helland, Edward Diaz, and Alex Diaz; along with a “god-sister,” Jamie Fallon, “little brother” Mike Baez, and Danajah Pugh who was like a daughter to him.

Chris attended Wilbur Cross High School class of 1993, then joined the US Army. After discharging from the military, he received his associate’s degree from Gateway Community College. Chris held jobs at Stop & Shop, Yale University, New Haven Public Library, and Yale-New Haven Hospital. For the past 11 years, Chris dedicated himself to his career at the New Haven Public Safety Answering Point, where he worked as a 911 operator/dispatcher, fire dispatcher, police dispatcher; he created a new training system for the department and was promoted to PSAP supervisor.

Chris’s dedication led to his coworkers becoming friends, and those friends becoming family. When Chris wasn’t at work, he enjoyed the company of his two cats and caring for the neighborhood stray cats. Chris was a humble man; if you didn’t know this, he would tell you it’s true.

The family received mask-wearing friends on June 30 until the time of service in the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. Burial was private. Donations may be made to the Animal Haven in care of Chris Helland.