Andre V. Nardelli

Mystic - Andre V. Nardelli, 74, of Mystic, passed away peacefully from complications of frontotemporal dementia at Arden Courts of Farmington, Farmington on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. He was the beloved husband of Barbara Foster of Mystic.

He was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada to the late Joseph and Gemma (Careri) Nardelli. In addition to his wife, Andre is survived by Barbara's children, Dr. Robin Patel and her husband, Dr. Norbert Campeau, of Rochester, Minn. and their children, David and Michelle Campeau; Janice Patel of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, Canada and her sons, Timothy and Noah Schade; Harish and Marilisa (Prestigiacomo) Patel of Dallas, Texas and their children, Sofia and Giulia. The grandchildren were the light of Andre's life. Survivors also include his brother, Carl and wife, Shirley Nardelli, of Morin Heights, Quebec; and a half-brother, Pascal Nardelli of Montreal, Quebec.

He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Nardelli, Montreal, Quebec.

He received his DEC from Vanier College, Montreal, Quebec in the program of natural science-wildlife management, pure and applied science, and subsequently worked as a technician in environmental studies and in hydrology for environmental companies, as a wildlife technician for the Quebec Ministry of Recreation Hunting and Fishing, and as a park ranger for Parks Canada. Prior to that, he drove trucks for transport companies and for the Department of Defense, worked at Canadian Steel Foundries, at Canadair Ltd. (with the fringe benefit of learning to fly a Cessna), for Canada Post, and as a bus driver for the elementary children he adored. Andre was a true Renaissance man.

His hobbies included converting a Volkswagen Beetle into a dune buggy, and a school bus into a motor home. He helped to construct a yurt for the son of a friend. He was a self-taught luthier who appreciated the sound qualities of the many guitars he restored. He could play any tune by ear on his multiple harmonicas. Andre was most at home in the outdoors and assisted in outdoor education training for junior college students in hiking, rock climbing, orienteering, and cross-country skiing. He loved describing his own adventures and the friendships he made while driving his Norton from Montreal to LA, back through the southern states, then due north again, and hitchhiking from coast to coast in Canada. He sang in multiple venues-in church choirs and in the choruses of operas for Salt Marsh Opera under Simon Holt and Connecticut Lyric Opera conducted by Adrian Sylveen Mackiewicz; in the Groton Sea Notes Barbershop Chorus and at hootenannies. He had starring roles in community theater, both drama and musical. Andre loved running, biking, wind surfing, canoeing, kayaking, poling, and hiking and shared that love with his wife, grandchildren and friends. He was a member of Ledyard Sportsman's Club.

Diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2013, Andre spent his final two years in the loving, compassionate care of the entire staff at Arden Courts Memory Care Facility, where Dzevida Okugic and Cynthia Brown were his closest caregivers. He was most fortunate to receive the dedicated professional medical, personal, social, and spiritual care and comfort provided by the team at Masonicare Partners Home Health & Hospice, East Hartford and earlier by the team at McLean Home Care & Hospice.

Funeral arrangements to follow.

Those wishing to make donations may do so at The Connecticut Frontotemporal Dementia Foundation, Inc. (http://www.ctftdfoundation.org).