DOVER — After a prolonged illness, Edward Michael James Nazzaro, affectionately known as Ed, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2024, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His devoted husband and life partner of more than 20 years, Michael John Gary, was by his side.
Born on March 30, 1951, in Dover to Joseph Salvatore Nazzaro and Clementine DeLorenzo Nazzaro, Ed discovered his passion for teaching early in life. Returning home from Sacred Heart Elementary School each afternoon, Ed set up his classroom to teach imaginary students, taking attendance, administering tests, and rewarding hard work. During cherished weekly Italian Sunday gatherings at his grandmother’s house, Ed tutored his younger cousins in Spanish.
Ed’s love for the Spanish language and culture was profound. As Dover High School’s first international exchange student, Ed spent a transformative year in Cusco, Peru. He earned his B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature and an M.S. in Education in four years from the University of Pennsylvania. While at Penn, Ed studied Spanish literature at the University of Valencia, one of Spain’s oldest universities. Upon graduating magna cum laude, he was inducted into The Phi Beta Kappa Society. Ed completed his graduate coursework in Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University. Natural-born Spanish speakers regularly complimented Ed’s beautiful Spanish.
Ed’s distinguished teaching career began at Randolph High School. In 1977, he returned to Dover High School as Supervisor of World Languages, ESL, and Bilingual Education, a role he held for 23 years. He went on to serve as Vice Principal at both North Dover and Academy Street elementary schools. He brought his teaching career full circle when he retired from the language faculty at Randolph High School. Concurrently, Ed became an adjunct professor of Spanish and ESL at the County College of Morris.
Ed’s educational contributions were recognized through numerous awards, including Morris County’s Best Teacher Award, two Best Practice Awards from the State of New Jersey, and Outstanding Educator of the Year presented by CHISPAC (Hispanic Political Action Committee). Additionally, he was awarded a prestigious Rockefeller Foundation grant to study the history, culture, and literature of Puerto Rico and two Fulbright Scholarships to study education in Japan and to teach in Porto, Portugal. Ed’s passion and talent for teaching inspired many of his students to pursue education as a career.
Ed founded and ran Dover High School’s annual International Festival, the International Club, and the Latin Mix Dance Group. He also produced a successful series of Spanish-language plays for the community performed by Repertorio Español and organized playwriting workshops that resulted in three winners of the New Jersey Young Playwrights Festival.
Knowing firsthand the benefits of traveling abroad, Ed chaperoned and organized numerous European exchange programs for Dover students, including trips to Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, and even the former Soviet Union. Ed remained an avid traveler, sharing many wonderful trips with his husband, Michael, to Egypt, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Peru, and Spain.
Renowned for his dancing prowess, Ed’s joy for life was evident on every dance floor he graced, from NYC’s Studio 54, The Saint, and The Roxy to the galas of the Santa Fe Opera. His love for dancing left an indelible mark on all who watched him and those who had the privilege to dance with him, including the current and former Governors of New Mexico!
In 2013, Ed and Michael moved to Santa Fe, where Ed embraced the local culture. He joined the Santa Fe Community College as an adjunct faculty member, teaching ESL and forming deep connections with his students. He volunteered as a docent at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi and the San Miguel Chapel. A passionate gardener, Ed and Michael became Santa Fe Extension Master Gardeners, caring for public gardens across Santa Fe. During COVID, Ed began volunteering as a dog walker at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter.
Ed’s artistic spirit thrived in Santa Fe. He studied classical guitar under the tutelage of world-class concert guitarist Anna Maria Cardinalli. He pursued devotional painting and sculpture, including writing Russian icons, painting traditional retablos, and sculpting bultos under the guidance of Master Santero Felix López. His artistic expression blended Spanish and Italian traditions.
Ed’s culinary skills, particularly his mastery of his mother Clem’s eggplant parmesan, were celebrated by many.
Faith and family were the cornerstone of Ed’s life. He is survived by his beloved husband, Michael John Gary; his cherished dogs, Bosco and Bella (who now belong to their devoted predecessor Jersey’s eternal pack); his brother Joseph and sister-in-law Sharon Nazzaro of Randolph, both of whom were educators he deeply admired; his sister Anita Fehsal of Succasunna, who babysat him with her many high school friends, developing Ed’s lifelong love of music from the 50s and 60s; nieces Kelly Dahms (Ryan), Chrissy Tully (Sean) and Jenny Fehsal (Steve); and nephews Michael Fehsal (Sandy), Jody Nazzaro (Meredith) and Tim Nazzaro (Maureen); and a large extended family of grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins; his faithful caregiver Dominic Vasquez; and countless friends and colleagues who will forever remember his kindness, compassion, intelligence, generosity, gentle smile, warm laugh, and loving soul.
All are welcome to join the Rosary and his Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi on Thursday, August 22nd, 2024, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The mass will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person. A reception will follow.
On September 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., a Celebration of Ed’s Life will be held at the Tuttle Funeral Home in Randolph, New Jersey. A private family burial will follow.
Donations may be made in Ed’s memory to the Santa Fe Opera, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter, the San Miguel Chapel, and the Dover College Promise Program.
