Nicholas John Gervasio

Nicholas John Gervasio, 68, died at his home on December 3, 2010. He moved to Hancock 6 years ago from Redding. He was born in Stamford, on October 26, 1942, the son of Mary (Cyboski) and Vincent Gervasio. He was a graduate of Stamford High School and the University of Connecticut where he received his B.A. degree and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He held advanced degrees from the University of Connecticut and Fairfield University. He taught history at Joel Barlow High School in Redding until his retirement in 1999. Nick was fond of recalling his childhood growing up in the projects of Stamford with his extended family. Shoulder and leg injuries cut short his soccer and football activities, but he remained committed to exercise and health throughout his life. Upon graduation from UCONN in 1966 he taught history at Stamford's Rippowam High School. In 1968 he and his wife Sara moved to Fort Collins Colorado where he studied forestry at Colorado State University. In 1969 they returned to Connecticut and settled in Redding. Nick was a true lover of history, particularly American history and the Civil War. In the late 1970's Nick spent several months in Old Sturbridge Village as an interpreter in the pewter shop, printing press and broom shop. He then spent several months in Mystic Seaport woodworking and living aboard the ship Joseph Conrad. Nick also proudly served the Redding and Hancock communities as a member of their volunteer fire departments. Nick was happiest outdoors; travelling west with his family, camping and enjoying visits to many national parks and monuments, biking in Acadia with his family or pursuing one of his many hobbies - building stone walls, carving gifts for his friends and family, making furniture for Sara, chopping wood and blazing nature trails through his back woods. Not one to covet or place importance on possessions, Nick valued hard work, family, integrity, simplicity, and nature. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sara (King) Gervasio; two daughters, Ann and her husband Michael Stanley of Westminster, Vermont; and Karen and her husband William Sullivan of Madbury, New Hampshire, and four grandchildren whom he cherished. His brother, Richard Gervasio of Stamford, predeceased him earlier this year. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 12, 2010, at 2:00 at the Peterborough Unitarian Church, Main Street, Peterborough. Reverend David Robins will officiate. Memorial gifts may be made to Friends of Acadia, P.O. Box 45, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 (www.friendsofacadia.org), The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, 54 Portsmouth St, Concord, NH 03301(www.spnhf.org) or to HCS Services and Hospice, P.O. Box 496, Peterborough, NH 03458. Jellison Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. For an online guestbook and directions, go to www.jellisonfuneralhome.com.