Obituary: Milford Artist Nick Pavia, age 89

Nicholas “Nick” Pavia, 89, of Milford passed away on Thursday, Aug. 30 at Milford Health Care.He was the devoted husband of 55 years to his late wife, Anna N. Gaetano Pavia. 

Born on April 16, 1923 in Bridgeport, Conn., he was the son of the late Prospero and Leonarda Pavia. 

A resident of Milford for 45 years, he was retired from Sikorsky Aircraft. 
Nick was a decorated World War II veteran, a true American hero, who served 3 years, from 1942 to 1945, in the 486th Battalion of the 3rd Armored Division, nicknamed “Spearhead,” where he saw action in the European Theater from Normandy to VE Day. 

His battalion was directly involved in the battle for Normandy, the Break Thru at St .Lo, the closing of the Falise Gap and the Battle of the Bulge. 

Nick and his division helped in the liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp. 

After his retirement, Nick took many college art classes. He became a well-known local artist. He was a member of the Milford Fine Arts Council, where he served as chairman for 3 years; the Milford Art League and the Connecticut Classic Arts. 
He is best known for his paintings of Charles Island. He was also a portrait painter and has his works displayed at the Parsons Complex in Milford. 

Nick was a true Renaissance man, who took up yoga, tai chi and winemaking before it was trendy. He also enjoyed serenading family members with his accomplished harmonica playing. 

He was a member of the Milford, Trumbull and Shelton senior centers where he loved ballroom dancing. He loved to garden and grew everything from tomatoes to grapes. 

Nick was always upbeat, always had a smile on his face and never took life too seriously. 

“Things will work out,” was his favorite saying when things got tough. 
He was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Milford where he ushered at the 8 a.m. Mass for many years. 

Nick was a member of the Park City Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Flying “S” Anchor Club, where he served a year as president. 

He leaves behind a loving family and many friends who will mourn his passing. 

He is survived by two daughters, Anne M. Amato of Milford and Patricia Wrigley of West Haven. Five grandchildren, Cheryle Anne Amato and her husband, Dan Wilson of Woodbridge; Alan Paul Amato and his wife, Kim, of Beacon Falls; Melissa Wrigley Costantini of Milford; Thomas Wrigley and his wife, Jacquelyn of Milford and Adam M. Amato and his wife, Jennifer, of Cheshire; six great-grandchildren, Stephanie Amato; Nicholas Costantini, Nick’s namesake; Samuel Costantini; Aaron Costantini; Cate Lila Wrigley and Cal Thomas Wrigley; his sisters Rose Gresh, Dorothy Pavia and Elizabeth DePeano, all of Bridgeport; and Anthony D’Ostilio, his brother-in-law and friend since they were in grammar school. 

Besides his wife and parents, he was predeceased by an infant daughter, Theresa Pavia and sisters Angie D’Ostilio, Mary LaPointe and Antoinette Caseria. 

Friends and family may call on Sunday, Sept 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad St., On the Green, Milford.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Sept 3 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Ann’s Church, 501 Naugatuck Ave., Milford. 

Burial will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Milford Fine Arts Council, 40 Railroad Ave. Milford, Conn. 06460