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Gerald Roman "Gerry"
Nesteruk

September 16, 1942 – November 17, 2018

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Gerald Nesteruk Gerald Nesteruk
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"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
— Farley Sullivan Funeral Home

Obituary for Gerald Roman "Gerry" Nesteruk

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Gerald Roman Nesteruk of Glastonbury, passed away November 17, 2018. He was the son of the late Jacob and Maria (Laszczuk) Nesteruk. Born in Otynia, Ukraine, Gerald crossed the Atlantic with his family on the U.S.S. Hosey, arriving in New York, NY in October, 1949. The family boarded a train to Hartford, where they made their home thereafter.
Gerald’s life was a colorful mosaic of church, family, art, music and an endless thirst for knowledge. Gerry was intensely proud that he served his country n the U.S. Army. He keenly attached his identity to being a military veteran. Aesthetically, he loved opera, classical music, the Connecticut River landscapes and reading “the classics”. His span of interest ranged from studying Aristotle, American History, cartography and world religions, to cooking, gardening, computers and how to understand cats. He was an expert on the Civil War.
Gerald’s academic achievements started in grammar school, where he was recognized by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. In Bulkeley High School (Class of ’61), he earned the German Language Prize, was in the National Honor Society, Debate Club and was Vice President of the United Nations Club. In his later years, Gerry received a degree from C.P.I. (Computer Processing Institute) and an Associates Degree from Hartford Community College. Ever “the student”, he continued to take classes at C.C.S.U., M.C.C. and other academic venues.
In total, Gerald’s life was punctuated by the ongoing contrasts of achievement and humility. His discharge from the Army brought with it a lifelong disability that impacted his functioning and exposed his profound determined desire to learn and live independently.
In spite of the challenges dealt to him, Gerald respected and accepted everyone he met as a friend, treating them universally with dignity and compassion. He cared for everyone and made time to be involved. He was a member of the Ukrainian National Home, Hartford, a communicant of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Hartford, in which he was a founding member of its now defunct Holy Name Society; a member of the Ukrainian American Veteran’s Association, Hartford Chapter, serving as chaplain for several years; Leadership Greater Hartford, the CT Historical Society. A musician from childhood, Gerald played violin solos, as a boy, at Ukrainian community events and played second fiddle in the B.H.S. Orchestra. He taught himself the saxophone and played “sax” for the Ukrainian Dance Band “Kalyna” prior to going into the Army. In his “senior years” he joined the New Horizons Orchestra Band at the Hartt School of Music; playing with the for several years and putting on annual concerts. When a very young boy, he belonged to PLAST, a Ukrainian Scouting Organization.
Family meant everything to Gerry. He was a devoted son, brother and uncle. He shared all he had with family. He was a constant companion to his widowed mother until her passing and a confidant to his sister “Jules”. He was uniquely close to his brother Zeke and spoke to him daily. His conversations at the holiday dinner table exposed his nieces and nephews to history and the classical arts. There was nothing superficial. Each family meal with Gerry commenced with a prayer of thanksgiving and his signature toast: “A Libation to the Nation”.
Left to celebrate his life and memory are: his sister Julia (Jules) Nesteruk of Wethersfield, brother Zenon (Zeke) Nesteruk and his wife Donna, of St. James, NY; niece Christine and husband John Stanco, of St. James, NY, niece Marguerite Nesteruk of Malibu, CA, niece Diedre Nesteruk of New York, NY, niece Andréa and husband Giannis Miras of St. James, NY; great nieces and nephew, Alexa, Camryn and Drew Stanco of St. James, NY.; his paternal aunt Olena of Vorona, Ukraine; extended family of cousins in CT, MA, PA, FL, CA, NC, NY, Australia and Ukraine.
The family wishes to acknowledge the excellent, compassionate care provided Gerald by Verne, his home health aide and Lisa Raffile, his VA care manager.
Friends and relatives may pay their respects to the family, Thursday, November 29, 2018 from 6-8pm, at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield. A Panachyda Prayer Service will be at 7:30pm. A Requiem Liturgy will be Friday, November 30th at 10am in St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 135 Wethersfield Ave. Hartford (attendees are asked to go directly to the church). Interment will follow the Liturgy in St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, New London Tpke, Glastonbury. Memorial donations may be made to St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, Hartford or the Ukrainian National Home, Wethersfield Ave., Hartford, CT 06114. To extend online condolences and/or share a memory, please visit farleysullivan.com.

Visitation

When Thursday, November 29th, 2018 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location
Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Wethersfield
Address
34 Beaver Rd.
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Additional Information Panachyda Service at 7:30pm

Service Information

When
Friday, November 30th, 2018 10:00am
Location
St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church
Address
135 Wethersfield Avenue
Hartford, CT 06114

Interment Information

Location
St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery
Address
New London Turnpike
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Interment Extra Info
Section A
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