Obituary of Edward Nazzaro

After an extended illness, Edward Michael James Nazzaro, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2024, in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his husband and life partner of more than 20 years, Michael John Gary, by his side.

Born on March 30, 1951, in Dover, New Jersey, to Joseph S. and Clementine Nazzaro. Ed became Dover High School's first international exchange student, spending a year in Cusco, Peru developing his love of the Spanish Culture. He earned his B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature and an M.S. in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and studied Spanish literature at the University of Valencia in Spain. Graduating magna cum laude, he was inducted into The Phi Beta Kappa Society. Ed completed his graduate coursework at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Ed began an exceptional career in education beginning at Randolph High School and culminating at Dover High School as Supervisor of World Languages, ESL and Bilingual Education. He then served as Vice Principal at both North Dover and Academy Street schools. Ed also taught Spanish and ESL at the County College of Morris.

Ed is a member of the Dover High School Hall of Fame and received many awards, including Morris County’s Best Teacher Award; two Best Practice Awards from the State of New Jersey; and Outstanding Educator of the Year from CHISPAC (Hispanic Political Action Committee). He received a 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. He founded the Dover High School’s annual International Festival, the International Club and the Latin Mix Dance Group. He produced a successful series of Spanish language plays along with organizing playwright workshops. Ed chaperoned and organized many exchange programs in Europe for Dover students, including the former Soviet Union.

In 2013, Ed and Michael moved to Santa Fe, where he taught ESL at the Santa Fe Community College and volunteered as a docent at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi and the San Miguel Chapel. He studied classical guitar and pursued devotional painting and sculpture blending Spanish and Italian traditions. Faith and family were the cornerstone of Ed's remarkable life.

He is survived by his husband, Michael John Gary; his cherished dogs, Bosco and Bella brother Joseph (Sharon) Nazzaro of Randolph; sister Anita Fehsal of Succasunna; 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 and countless friends and colleagues who will forever remember his kindness, compassion, intelligence, generosity, gentle smile, warm laugh and loving soul.

A Mass of Christian Burial and the Rosary will be held at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi on Thursday morning, August 22nd, 2024, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The mass will be livestreamed.

A Celebration of Ed’s Life will be held at the Tuttle Funeral Home in Randolph, on September 8, 2024 at 2 p.m. 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 via the CCM Foundation, 214 Center Grove Rd., Randolph NJ 07869.