A Celebration of the Life of Dr. John M. Aversa

Woodbridge, CT - A Celebration of the Life of Dr. John Michael Aversa was held on Monday, June 10, 2019 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church.The doctor passed away surrounded by his loved ones on June 4, 2019 at age 76 after a valiant battle with cancer. Click here to read Dr. Aversa’s obituary.

The church was packed with mourners that came out to support the family of the beloved Dr. Aversa and the Mass that began at 11:00am lasted nearly two hours. The main celebrant was the Most Rev. Bishop Peter A. Rosazza, a former patient of the late Dr. Aversa. Concelebrants included the pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church Rev. Christopher Ford, former OLOA pastor Monsignor Eugene “Fr. Gene” Gianelli, and Rev. Thomas Kelly, as well as other priests not listed in the program.

Dr. Aversa, a partner in CT Orthopaedic Specialists, was the husband of Ellen Aversa, a long-time member of the adult choir at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. As a result, a large number of the adult choir members wanted to be at the church to be a part of the music for the service. Dr. Keith Smolinski, a multi-talented pianist and composer who is an Earth Science teacher at Amity Middle School Bethany, led both the choir and the string trio for the funeral Mass. Dr. Smolinski is the music director in charge of music ministry.

The thirty-minute prelude was provided by a lovely string trio that sat with the members of the adult choir. Schubert’s “Ave Maria” was sung and the opening hymn was “Hosea” by Weston Priory.

Gabrielle Aversa, a granddaughter of Dr. Aversa who was at one time a member of the OLOA adult choir, read the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah (25: 6a 7-9) which reminded the mourners that “The Lord God will destroy death forever.”

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be
Called the children of God. Yet so we are. - John (3:1-2)

After the Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 23) by Tom Conry was sung by the choir, Joshua Aversa, the very young grandson of the deceased, read beautifully the second reading. The reading from the first letter of John (3: 1-2) reminded the assembled that “We shall see God as he really is,” in one of my favorite passages.

The “Alleluia” verse from the Jubilation Mass by Chapponis was led by the choir and Deacon John ‘Jack’ Mordecai read the gospel chosen by the family, Matthew 25: 31-46.

The personal homily was given by Bishop Rosazza, who shared that without the skilled care given to him by the late Dr. Aversa after he was hit by a motorcycle while riding his bike, he would not have been able to continue his ministry. When the bishop emeritus asked former patients of Dr. Aversa to raise their hands, many in the congregation did just that.

“Life is changed, not ended.” - Most Rev. Bishop Peter A. Rosazza

Bishop Rosazza recalled the multiple surgeries that had been done, and the chemotherapy that had been tried in the doctor’s struggle with cancer. The bishop mentioned the names of every single one of the grieving family members from memory, just as he does for every member of the crew when he appears on the television Mass, as I have witnessed firsthand. He remembered meals served by the doctor and his wife “with good wine,” and he also recalled Mrs. Aversa serving meals at St. Rafael’s Hospital in New Haven.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. - Psalm 73

The kind bishop described the doctor as a “most faith-filled person” who was very humble; he firmly believed that the definition of success is to have the power of God working through him. “If John is not in Heaven,” he added, “I don’t have a chance.”

After the inspiring homily, another young reader Eleni Kyriakides led the Prayer of the Faithful, which included prayers for those battling cancer, family members and friends that are ill, doctors and nurses, deceased members of the family, those serving in the military and for peace in the world.

The Offertory Hymn led by the choir was “On Eagles Wings” by Joncas. Grandson Tassos Kyriakides, granddaughter Siena Kyriakides, granddaughter Heidi Aversa and grandson Michael Aversa brought the gifts to the altar during the hymn.

During the consecration when Bishop Rosazza was surrounded by seven priest and Deacon Mordecai. Fr. Gene stepped up to proclaim the section that remembers the deceased.

Communion Hymns included “Panis Angelicus” (Franck) performed by the two cantors, Susan Antinozzi and Liz Smolinski, “Remember Me When You Eat This Bread” by David Bailes arranged by R. Kevin Boesiger, and “God Alone,” an original piece written by Dr. Smolinski. The song for Reflection was “Ave Maria” by Caccini sung by the choir.

After communion was distributed, four eulogies were offered by Dr. Aversa’s four children. Dr. John Michael Aversa, Jr. DO, the oldest, went first; Dr. Aversa shared that besides love, his father should be remembered for his generosity and his dedication. His father was also a dedicated husband of nearly 52 years, brother, doctor and Catholic. The elder Dr. Aversa urged his eldest son to be productive and often said that his relationships with others was his greatest blessing.

Dr. David Aversa followed his brother and called his father his “superhero.” He remembered that after working an 80 hour week with his patients, his father woke him up his second son to take him to hockey practice. Dr. Aversa became the team doctor for the often injured hockey team members. David shared that he felt that his father got better with age.

Daughter Monica Aversa, the only one of the siblings that did not go into medicine, wrote a eulogy that was read by her eldest brother. Ms. Aversa, who mentioned in her writing that she was adopted by Dr. Aversa and his wife, remembered that her father had often reminded her “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

The final eulogy was delivered by Dr. Kristen Aversa. She told the congregation that it felt to her that the entire state of Connecticut had come to the church on Sunday from 1:30 to 8:00pm to pay their respects to the family. On behalf of the family, she thanked a long list of people that had helped her father and her family during his final three years. She shared that her father had learned to play the violin in his sixties, and he had planted lemon, orange and fig trees along his driveway. She encouraged all of the mourners to try to live more like her father, her “most favorite person ever,” in his memory.

At the conclusion of the eulogies, Bishop Rosazza encouraged all those in attendance to give a round of applause to the four siblings who bravely made it through the difficult task.

Dr. Peter Kelly, a member of the Knights of Malta, gave a final commendation in which he mentioned Dr. Aversa’s volunteer work in Haiti; he also remembered the doctor as being a genuine and generous human being. From the late doctor’s obituary: “Dr. Aversa was inducted as a Knight of Malta and joined their team of doctors in Haiti yearly since 2010 to provide free orthopedic care to those in need. For a decade, he traveled with The Knights to Lourdes, France on their annual pilgrimage to care for the malades.”

For the final blessing Ms. Antinozzi sang “Song of Farewell” and the Closing Hymn was “Do Not Be Afraid For Your Are Mine” by Lloyd Larson.

Pallbearers included Frank Urzi, John Urzi, Lawrence Morizio, Alex Morizio, John C. Aversa and Joseph Aversa. A reception followed at Oak Lane Country Club in Woodbridge.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Dr. Aversa's honor to The Sarcoma Foundation of America (curesarcoma.org) or The Crudem Foundation for the Hôpital Sacré Coeur (crudem.org).

I had never met the late Dr. Aversa, but it was an honor for me to sing with the choir to honor his life. He clearly was a wonderful gentleman and dedicated Orthopedic Surgeon that I wish I knew. Sincere condolences to Mrs. Aversa and to her lovely family.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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