Richard Joseph Gervasio, Sr.

NORWALK, CONN Richard Joseph Gervasio, Sr., 69, beloved husband of Elaine Simonelli Gervasio, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 11, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer. Richard was born on September 28, 1940 in Stamford, Conn and was the son of the late Vincent Gervasio and Mary Cyboski Gervasio. He graduated from Stamford High School in 1958, where he excelled as an athlete. He was a member of the Stamford High School Football Team where, as a sophomore, had a starting position on both offense and defense. He was also a member of the Stamford High Track Team that went on to win the State Championship. His relay team held the state record for many years to come. He then went on to West Virginia State University and the University of Connecticut where he majored in engineering. After college he worked for the U.S. Postal Service and in 1964 took a position with Branson Instruments in Stamford, Conn as an electronics technician. He was soon promoted to manager of the electronic assembly department. In 1966, he was promoted to director of quality control where he worked until 1981 when the company relocated out of state. From 1982 to present, he worked as a quality assurance specialist for the US Department of Defense. He had been a resident of Norwalk, Conn since 1969. He was a member of St. Matthew R.C. Church and the St. Anne's Club of Norwalk. In addition to his wife of forty-six years, he is survived by his two sons, Richard J. Gervasio, Jr. of Norwalk and Michael V. and his wife, Katie Gervasio of Westport along with his three grandchildren, Matthew, David and Brooke, who were the light of his life; his brother, Nicholas and his wife, Sara Gervasio of Hancock, NH; two brother-in-laws, Raymond Simonelli and Gerald Mucciolo; several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles and many cousins who he cherished. He also leaves behind many life-long friends who he thought of as brothers. Richard was known for loving to tell stories about the "old days" growing up in Fairfield Court, on the west side of Stamford where he had so many fond memories and met so many of his long time friends. He had a passion for running. He would run four miles a day, through rain, snow and heat and would keep a journal of his running time. He also had an amazing knowledge of history, science and math. He loved sharing things with his two sons who he was so proud of. At the age of 61, he climbed 6288 feet to the top of Mount Washington with his son, Richard. He was a big UCONN Huskies fan and loved rooting for the team with his sons. Richard loved life and people and those who knew him became his friend for life. He loved to laugh and joke even during tough times. He was a good man and will be missed by all who knew him. Richard's family will receive friends on Thursday, July 15, 2010 in Norwalk's Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street from 4:00PM - 8:00PM. His funeral will be held on Friday, July 16, 2010 at 9:00AM in the parlor, when the funeral cortege will proceed to St. Matthew R.C. Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30AM. Interment will follow in St. John Cemetery, Norwalk. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Bennett Cancer Center, 30 Shelburne Road, Stamford, Conn 06902 or to the American Lung Association, 45 Ash Street, East Hartford, Conn 06108. FLOWERS MAY BE ORDERED THROUGH BRAACH'S AT 203.866.5963