Nicholas E. D'Agostino

1920 - 2014

WOLCOTT - Nicholas E. D'Agostino, 94, formerly of Juniper Drive in Wolcott and Aurora Senior Living of Bucks Hill in Waterbury, died peacefully at VITAS Hospice in St. Mary's Hospital on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, surrounded by family and friends. He was the husband of the love of his life, the late Gloria (Cyr) D'Agostino, from 1947 to 2006, with whom he is now joyfully reunited.

Nicholas was born in Waterbury on March 9, 1920, to the late Oreste and Concetta (Veneziano) D'Agostino. He was a graduate of Crosby High School, and went on to pursue an associate degree in accounting, at Baypath University, and continued on to Northeastern University where he received a degree in plant organization and management. However, after two years working within his chosen fields, Nicholas enlisted in the U.S. Naval Quartermaster and Submarine Schools. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving part of that time as a liaison officer and interpreter on an Italian submarine, and was honorably discharged in 1946. It was at this time that Nicholas realized his true calling as an educator, and began his pursuit of that dream at Central Connecticut State University, receiving a teaching degree in 1948. Nicholas began his teaching career at Thomaston High School while attending Yale/Southern Connecticut State University (then New Haven Teachers College), receiving his master's degree in 1951. Nicholas became principal of James Morris High School in 1954, and transferred to become the vice principal of Wamogo High School in 1955. In 1958, Nicholas became the first principal of Wolcott High School, proudly graduating the school's very first graduates in 1961. Throughout his career, from 1951 to 1961, Nicholas commuted to New York University in pursuit of his PhD in Education and Public School Administration, where he completed all of the required coursework but never had the chance to write his thesis. In 1962, Nicholas moved with his family to Wolcott, at which time he also became a dedicated lifelong member of the Wolcott Lion's Club. In 1968, Nicholas was promoted to superintendent of Wolcott Public Schools, all the while being known fondly as "Mr. D" by everyone in and around all of the educators and students in Connecticut and beyond. Nicholas became the president of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) in 1979, and, following his retirement from the Wolcott School System in 1982, he became the full time executive director of the CAPSS. During his tenure as executive director, the Association reached 100 percent membership of the school Superintendents in Connecticut. Nicholas served on the 100th Anniversary Committee of CAPSS, and received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of School Administrators for his many years of service to public education. Nick retired from CAPSS in 1989, at which time he became a consultant in education administration to school districts throughout New England. Nicholas received in excess of 20 awards throughout his tenure as an educator and as a dedicated 50 plus year member of the Lion's Club. However his proudest personal moments were also inclusive of those awards that he received as a Humanitarian, as well as being honored by having his name on the Auditorium at Wolcott High School. He worked hard to provide all students with the best education possible, while he genuinely loved all people, from all walks of life, and clearly all of the peoples' lives he touched sincerely loved him back. In his words, he truly was, "a great American". Most importantly, Nicholas was an avid golfer, and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, son: he was a family man above all else.

He leaves behind his daughters, Diane "Dee" (D'Agostino) Cianciolo, of Wolcott, and Janet (D'Agostino) Fernandez and her husband, Bob Jr., of Waterbury; three grandchildren, Nicole Medina Pantalone and her husband, Mark, of Maine, Douglas J. Medina, of Maine, and Kristin Nicole Cianciolo, of Springfield, Mass. He also leaves behind two sister-in-laws, Ann D'Agostino, of Woodbury, and Terese (Cyr) Young, of California; as well as many nieces and nephews. Nicholas was predeceased by his three younger brothers, Ugo, Robert, and Armand D'Agostino.

Arrangements are being handled by Woodtick Memorial, 420 Woodtick Road, Wolcott. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, 517 Woodtick Road, Wolcott. Burial with full military honors will follow in Edgewood Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Sunday, Sept. 28, , from 2 to 5 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wolcott Education Foundation for The Nicholas and Gloria D'Agostino Memorial Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 6365, Wolcott, CT, 06716. Please visit www.woodtickmemorial.com to leave an online condolence.