John Anthony Reveruzzi died at L & M Hospital in New London, Conn. on April 2.

He was born in Thompsonville, Conn. on Dec. 13, 1940, and during his 83 years he lived an amazing life.

The only child of Pelligrino and Elena (Collina) Reveruzzi, he was the first-born grandchild and the apple of his Aunt Vincie and Aunt Rose’s eyes.

He graduated from Enfield High, class of 1958, where his early love for politics was revealed, as he was senior class president. He graduated from American International College and Western New England School of Law.

He met Anne Mathieu from Agawam at a college party and they married on June 6, 1964. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this June.

Soon two daughters were born and survive him: Lisa Reveruzzi of Waterford, Conn. and Richelle O’Neil (Shelly) and her husband Robert (Bob) of Edgartown.

John started out in construction, building homes, and soon transitioned into real estate development. He worked for Connecticut Bank and Trust from 1973 to 1983 as senior vice president, managing the real estate department and as president of the CBT Realty Corporation, and as executive vice president from 1983 to 1992 at Bronson Hutensky in Hartford, before branching out on his own.

He went on to own two restaurants on Martha’s Vineyard, one in Edgartown with his daughter and son in-law and one in Oak Bluffs.

After retiring from real estate, he kept himself occupied by driving a bus for the MTA and as a starter for Mink Meadows golf course in Vineyard Haven. On the Vineyard, John made many lasting friendships and enjoyed the laughter and stories he shared with them.

He kept life interesting for his family and gave them so many opportunities to explore the world. He loved golf, fishing with his family (even though he couldn’t swim well and got seasick), Italy, Italian food, his cousins and his dogs Marley and Peggy.

He loved summers on the Cape with his friends, especially his best friend, Gene Nannini.

He loved frying dough and flirting with the old ladies at the Mt. Carmel Feast and was a former member of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society of Enfield.

He loved watching his kids play sports, taking his kids to sporting events and concerts.

He loved helping people and served on the town council, as deputy mayor and mayor of Enfield, Conn. in the 1980’s. He ran a valiant campaign for state senator in 2002.

Most importantly John loved humanity. He made sure that if you had nowhere to go on any holiday you had a place at his table; that when his good buddy was diagnosed with cancer, he stayed by his side through treatment and helped him pass.

He left this world surrounded by the love of his family who will miss him dearly.

Services will be private.

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened” – Dr. Seuss