Late Town Worker Began Decades Long Christmas Eve Nativity Tradition

EAST HAVEN, CT —In 1987, Nicholas Pizzorusso joined the East Haven Department of Public Works and remained an employee for nearly three decades. Retiring in 2015, he sadly passed away in 2019.

A "gentleman," public works' director Charlie Coyle said. "Nick was a great man with a big heart. I knew him before he came to Public Works, and he was always a gentleman."

A part of the job for public works employees is to decorate the town for the holidays; lights on lampposts, a decorated tree on the Town Green. But also, the nativity scene which is a beloved Christmas fixture, also on the Green.

The second year he was employed, he helped to set up the nativity scene. And had an idea. He would place the statue of the Baby Jesus in His sacred cradle at midnight, and bring family along. His wife, Lynn, painted the statuary.

So for the first time, in 1988, Pizzorusso placed the statue inside the manager, and also placed his grandson, Matthew, for a photograph.

And so an East Haven family tradition began: For every year until his retirement, on Christmas Eve, first it was the family holiday dinner at the Pizzorusso house and later, the kids are gathered and off to the Green and the nativity scene to place the Jesus in his manger.

After Pizzorusso passed away in 2019, it was decided, his grandson Nicholas said, that the tradition of the family joining together at the nativity on the Green would continue.

Including this Christmas Eve. And to all a good night.