David Arthur Garvasio

Gervasio, David Arthur. Henderson, Nevada – David Arthur Gervasio, 67, died peacefully on Saturday, October 8, 2016, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Born in Troy on November 3, 1948, he was the son of the late Dominick and Daisy Mae Watts Gervasio. David is survived by his spouse of 37 years, Hubert F. Parrow, Jr. and siblings Daisy Mae Scorsone, Dominick J. Gervasio, Jr., and Robert Gervasio of Troy, New York, Mary Kuchevar of Florida and several nieces and nephews. David retired from the New York State Department of Health as a Health Care Administrator in October 2009, after 19 years of state service. Prior to his employment with New York State, David was an accomplished hairdresser with over fifty years in the field of cosmetology. He truly knew how to work a pair of scissors to give his customers the best and latest hair fashion or a tried-and-true vintage hairdo from the past. His creative and artisan skills served him well when it came to custom blending hair colors for his customers who wanted something more than just a color out of a bottle. Upon retirement, David and Hubert sold their home in Troy, New York, and drove cross-country with their pet cockatiel, Rocky, to pursue their dream of living in the sunny Southwest. Henderson, Nevada (pronounced NuhVAD-uh, not Nuh-VAH-dah), became their home for the next five years, until David’s passing. Although not long enough, David and Hubert enjoyed their home, made new friends and loved to float and relax in their backyard pool during those triple-digit summer days and nights. David loved crocheting and enjoyed creating his own afghan patterns as well as crocheting hundreds of pairs of booties for loved ones and friends to keep their feet nice and toasty during those cold northeast winters. He also was an avid artist working in ceramics. His detailed, free-hand brush work and award-winning hand-designed pieces won him many a first place and best-of-show awards. Another favorite activity David loved was making homemade spaghetti sauce using fresh tomatoes and herbs from his vegetable garden on Mann Avenue in Troy, New York. Cooking and entertaining for family and friends brought much enjoyment to him – good food, good drink and good company was his mantra. Additionally, every Christmas and Easter holiday, he took great pride in baking and sharing homemade Italian jennets (cookies) for family, friends and co-workers, that is if Hubert didn’t eat them all first! Flea markets and garage sales were another loved past-time David found enjoyable – – it wasn’t so much finding the treasures as it was the hunt. “Ooops!!!!! There goes another one,” David would yell as Hubert drove the car past another garage sale or sign without stopping. How they laughed as Hubert turned the car around. One interesting fact you may not have known about David is that he received a Certificate of Participation from the National Aeronautical Space Administration (NASA) when his name and those of 1.2 million people were carried to Mars on a microchip aboard NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity, which still roams the Martian surface today. Happy trails and Curiosity to David. In honor of David’s passing, please take a moment to light a candle or enjoy a fine brew and reflect upon a fond memory or moment of laughter which you may have shared with him during his life journey. Peace be with you, David, as you embark on your spiritual journey to a new life and new city as you join those loved ones who have gone before you. They await your arrival with welcomed embraces. A celebration of life gathering will be held in Henderson, Nevada and Troy, New York, at a date and location to be determined.