Nicholas Liberante

LIBERANTE, Nick, died on April 24, 2019 at the age of 70. He was born in Syracuse, New York on Jan. 16, 1949 to Al and Elizabeth Liberante. Nick is survived by three brothers: Michael (Cathy), Louis (Shirley), and Al, Jr.. Nick graduated from St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in 1966. He earned a B.A. from Canisius College in 1971, and a M.A. in English literature from Canisius College in 1976. Nick served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1970-1976, receiving an Honorable Discharge. Nick worked many jobs before becoming an English teach­er: bartender, assembly-line worker in U.A.W. and Teamster driver for Roadway Express. Nick started teaching at Patrick Henry High School in Ashland, Virgina in the spring of 1977; he taught there for the next 36 years. Nick taught all levels of English from remedial to advanced. In 1991, he was asked to take over the school yearbook. Nick went to Virginia Commonwealth University and earned an endorsement in journalism. He then worked with students to produce the yearbook and school newspaper for 22 years, in addition to teaching journalism and English classes. Nick is survived by his wife, Dr. Christine Privitera, whom he met in Buffalo, New York in 1976. Nick and Chris­tine were married August 12, 1978. Christine was a pediatrician for 40 years. Nick and Christine have two children: Laura Hosaflook (David) of Fredericksburg, Va., and Paul Liberante of Richmond, Va. They have two grandchildren: Rose (12) and Caleb (9). In addition to his teaching career, Nick was also a photographer. He started his photo-journalism career by taking pictures for Hanover County’s Herald-Progress in 1994. He worked there on a part-time basis until 2016. Nick then worked for B&H Media, which published the Mechanicsville and Hanover Locals. As a photographer, Nick covered many events for feature and sports stories in Hanover County and Randolph-Macon College. After he retired from teaching, Nick also worked on a part-time basis for Candid Color Photography. He helped students and advisers with high school and middle school yearbooks, and he did the yearbook for several ele­mentary schools in Hanover County. Nick was diagnosed with a dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the abdomen in May of 2017. Nick enjoyed an active life. Nick loved to bike, mountain bike and just walk the trails at Poor Farm Park. He enjoyed working out at the local YMCA lifting weights or doing yoga. He especially loved walks with his son Paul and friend Trip Wells along the Buttermilk and North Bank Trails in Richmond. He also liked to banter over beers with teaching colleague Ed Lynch. And he had a friend of almost 40 years, Haskins Rogers “Butch” Bell, a man of compassion and kindness. Christine Privitera was the love of Nick’s life. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Christine retired from her practice to be with Nick as his cancer pro­gressed. They were two hard-working people who raised a loving family. Christine - my love - you gave my life meaning. The family will receive friends from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at Nelsen Funeral Home, 412 S. Washington Hwy, Ashland. A Funeral Mass will take place at 10am on Monday, April 29, 2019 at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 105 S. Snead St., Ashland. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Condolences may be registered online at www.nelsenashland.com.