Nicholas D. Casertano, 81, a longtime resident of Woodbury and formerly of Cheshire, passed away Sunday, October 4, 2009 following a courageous battle with cancer.
The youngest of 13 children, Nicholas grew up in Cheshire, where his family operated farms and related businesses. This led to his lifelong passion for horticulture and gardening. He attended Crosby High School where he captained the football team and was a star player. As an ambitious young man, Nicholas purchased and expanded F.F. Hitchcock, a plumbing and heating business in Woodbury. His life experiences and insight developed into a career in land use and building and as a well respected developer. He was a communicant of St. Teresa of Avila Church in Woodbury and a founding father of the Cheshire High School Football program.

In addition to his beloved wife of 30 years, Angie, he is survived by his son Drew and daughter-in-law Linda, of Millbrook, NY; his grandsons Alexander, Tyler and William; stepdaughters Laura Henne and her husband William Henne of Woodbury and their children Eric Jones and his wife Emily and their son Keller Jones, Tucker Henne and Rachael, Candee Kilian and her husband Michael of Bridgewater and their children Elysia (Kilian) Haas and her husband, Gregory, Chelsea and Taylor Kilian.

He is also survived by his sisters: Mary Gaglione, Eleanor Lucore and Gloria Drown all of Cheshire and Elaine Perrotti of Woodbridge, a sister in-law Mary Morin of Naugatuck and many, many nieces and nephews. Mr. Casertano was predeceased by eight siblings.

Memorials: Contributions may be made to St. Teresa's Church, P.O. Box A, Woodbury, CT 06798 or to the Harold Leever Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708.

Cemetery: New North Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Funeral: St. Teresa's Church

Services: A memorial Mass will be held on Friday, October 9, 2009, at St. Teresa of Avila Church, Main St. South at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in New North Cemetery.

Visitation: Friends may call the Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 2 School St. on Thursday from 4-7 p.m.