Obituary of John Cervini

John Cervini Sr., 97, of Garden City, New York, passed away Tuesday, February 18th at Parker Jewish Rehabilitation Center, New Hyde Park, New York. He was born to Natale and Annunziate Cervini October 28th,1922 in Ripi, Italy. At the age of 16 John left Italy and moved to New York with his mother and eldest sister to join his father in America. Soon after, he joined the US Army during WWII, serving as a gunner in a tank under General Patton’s 3rd Army. After serving and returning to New York, perhaps what he would consider his greatest accomplishment happened—meeting Nancy Ferranti and convincing her to marry him. They were married in 1949 and soon had two children, John Cervini Jr. of Hillsdale (Susan) and Linda Cervini of New Hyde Park. John started his own concrete business, J & B Construction, As a general contractor for nearly 50 years. John and Nancy’s son, John Jr., went to Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan and they would regularly drive to watch him play football all throughout the Midwest. Their daughter, Linda, stayed close by and received her Master’s degree in Social Work. John Jr. has two daughters, Alexandra Cervini Mull (Christian) and Katelyn, with his wife Susan. John and Nancy would visit them in Michigan, have wonderful times in Florida, and the entire family celebrated Thanksgiving in Garden City every year. John was a loving grandfather who would play with his granddaughters for countless hours while they were young and loved telling them his stories from Italy and WWII while they were older over a glass of red wine. John and Nancy were married over 70 years and were best friends, partners, and dedicated to one another, setting an example for their children and grandchildren. John, as the eldest of five, was the patriarch of his family, and loved by his siblings, Anne Cavasinni (Victor, deceased) Mary Cardino (Peppi, deceased) Warren Cervini (MaryAnne), and Louisa Ianne (Joseph). Always dedicated to his Catholic faith, John was a member of the Church of St. Anne, Garden City, attending mass nearly daily, and living his faith everyday through his kindness and generosity to others. He was the Secretary of Correspondence of the St. Anthony Society, and a devoted member of the American Legion. His best qualities of patriotism, dedication, and kindness live on through those that survive him. Contributions may be made to Museum of American Armour, Bethpage, New York.