Obituary of Sherman Van Ness Best

Sherman Van Ness Best of East Haven, CT and Maiden, NC, passed away on April 11, 2016 in Newton, NC. He was the husband of the late Virginia Sharp Best. He was born in New Haven, CT in 1921, the son of Sherman and Pauline Best. He was a graduate of Hillhouse High School and the Army Air Force Cadet Corp in 1943. During WWII, Sherman was a bomber pilot and flew sixty-three missions over Europe, two of which were on D-Day. He earned eleven Air Medals, a Presidential Citation, and participated in six major battles. In fourteen of those missions, he was the pilot of the Martin Marauder B-26 “Flak-Bait”, which is currently being restored in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center, and where Sherman was honored in a ceremony in December 2014. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of Captain. Sherman was a production supervisor with Advanced Products in North Haven until his retirement. He was active in local organizations, serving as Vice President of the New Haven Management Club, past Commander of the YD Post 130 of the American Legion, member of American Legion Post 89 of East Haven, member of the East Haven Historical Society, and a member of the East Haven Auxiliary Police for sixteen years. He was also a founder and Vice President of the East Haven Land Trust. Sherman served on the board of directors of the East Haven Cultural Arts Council, also serving one term as President. In addition, he was a member of the Tweed-New Haven Airfest Committee from 1991-1994. Sherman is survived by a son, Russell Best of Northford, CT; a daughter, Linda Best Coviello and son-in-law David Coviello of Maiden, NC; a sister, Paulette Best Hansen and brother-on-law Carl Hansen of Branford, CT. He was predeceased by a son, James Best (husband of Mary Jane) of East Haven. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Brandon Best, Kelly Best, James Best Jr., Jennifer Best, and David Coviello Jr. Family will receive friends from 4-7pm on Friday, April 15, 2016 at the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 16th at 10:00 am in the Old Stone Church, 251 Main Street, East Haven, burial with military honors to follow at East Lawn Cemetery. Donations may be made in Mr. Best’s name to the Hickory Aviation Museum, 3101 9th Avenue Dr. NW, Hickory, NC 28601.