Nocera, Edmund J.
Edmund J. Nocera, 72 of Portland passed away at home suddenly with his wife Mary Ellen by his side on Monday, May 21, 2018 after a three year battle with cancer. He was born in Middletown, CT on May 27, 1945 to Edmund J. Nocera Sr. and Dorothy (Barrett) Nocera and was the oldest of four children. He was a life-long educator and worked as an elementary school teacher, a principal, a school administrator, a superintendent and most recently a college professor at University of St. Joseph.
After graduating from Middletown High School in 1963, he earned his BS in elementary education at Central Connecticut State University. He became a teacher at Spencer School in Middletown in 1968 where he met his wife Mary Ellen. He continued his education and earned a MALS degree from Wesleyan University. In 1971 he received a second Master's degree at University of Wisconsin in Madison. In 1974, he moved his family to Portland Connecticut where he was the last principal at Central School before it closed. He also was a principal at Gildersleeve School and while working there he earned his Ph.D. in Education from UCONN in 1984. He then worked in Bristol, Connecticut as director of curriculum and later became superintendent of schools in Vernon, Connecticut. In 2000 he began teaching in the MS program of the education department at the University of St. Joseph which he continued to do until recently.
Ed loved gardening and was a season ticket holder for UCONN men's basketball. He and his wife loved to travel and on a trip to Italy unexpectedly connected with relatives from Melilli, Sicily. He also loved to vacation in Martha's Vineyard every summer with his family. He was affectionately known as "Poppa" to his five grandchildren. He was proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them in Portland.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Mary Ellen, Brother; Gene Nocera and wife Karen ; Sister Aline Grandazzo and husband Anthony; Brother David Nocera; Son Dan Nocera and wife Jeannie, Daughter Lori Giudice and husband John, Grandchildren Conner Giudice, Ryan Giudice, Gus Nocera, Simone Nocera, and Truman Nocera; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Family and friends may call at the D'Angelo Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 23rd from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
A funeral mass will be held Thursday, May 24th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Sebastian's Church in Middletown.