Mom of East Haven Teen Hurt By Tree: “Keep Nick in Your Thoughts”

EAST HAVEN, CT - For the first time since a tree tumbled down and critically injured 16-year-old Nick Vessicchio while he was mowing his lawn this summer, his family is speaking about what happened that day, how Nick is doing, and how thankful they are for everyone's good wishes.

In a letter sent to Patch, that will also be in a program at a benefit dinner held for Nick in February, Nick's mother, Sue, tells the full story.

“I would like to introduce and describe a little about our son, brother, cousin and friend Nicholas (Nick) Vessicchio. Nick is a 16 year old young man, who is very bright, kind, helpful, and loves his family and animals with all his heart.

"He was entering his junior year at East Haven High School where he was a member of both the Varsity Cross Country and Tennis teams plus the Math club, SADD, and the Junior National Honor Society. He was also actively involved with the non-profit group Linens of Love, which helps homeless veterans as well as homeless men, women and children and would often volunteer at the school I work at, helping out, with the many after school activities we offered to our students. Nick would not hesitate to help out whoever needed help, which leads me to July 27, 2017.

"On the morning of Thursday, July 27, Nick spent five hours packing and organizing health and hygiene items for Linens of Love and came home and volunteered to mow our lawn because we were leaving on vacation in two days and he didn't want his dad to have to come home from work to do it.

"The thing that happened next is beyond any nightmare we could imagine. A 30-foot tree in our yard uprooted and fell on Nick, trapping him underneath it. My husband who was coming home, and myself, who was inside the house at the time, heard a loud crash and ran outside to find Nick pinned under that huge tree.

"Within minutes, several emergency personnel were at our home. Since that very moment, Nick has overcome many, many obstacles. He sustained several bodily injuries and an anoxic brain injury, due to lack of oxygen from cardiac arrest.

"We have been at his side 24/7 at several hospitals and rehabilitation centers since that tragic day. We are hoping to get Nick home soon and several friends and trades-people in our community are working very hard to see that happen. As a family, we are hopeful for Nick's recovery and are so very grateful for the love and support from people near and far and those we haven't even had the pleasure of meeting yet.

"Please keep Nick in your thoughts and prayers - his family and friends thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Meanwhile, efforts to help the family are continuing back in East Haven.

Toward that end, East Haven contractor Anthony Bianco, who runs A&G Contracting in town, has volunteered to head up the efforts to make the house ready for Nick.

Family friend Caroline Vitale-Koziatek has been fielding calls from those who have volunteered to join A&G in the effort to make the house as comfortable for Nick as possible.

According to Koziatek much progress has been made at the house: demolition work has been done, framing is almost done, heating and plumbing is in progress.

She added, however, much still needs to be done, including finishing heating and plumbing, flooring, finishing work, painting, outside access and other work.

Koziatek said: "The family is overwhelmed and lifted up by the outpouring of financial and physical help to get Nick home."

Bianco is receiving no money for his time and efforts. “We still need electricians, plumbers, laborers, contractors,” said Koziatek. She said anyone that wants to help Bianco with the work should contact her, not him, at (203) 467-8824.

Other efforts to help Nick and his family continue.

A dinner organized by Joseph Carfora and Joann Gondek has been scheduled on Feb. 2nd at Cascade Fine Catering in Hamden from 6-11 p.m., where all the proceeds from the evening will be given to the Vessichio family.

Hundreds of tickets have already been sold.

To buy tickets to the dinner, contact Carfora at 203-627-4040 or Gondek at 203-668-6082.

“The Vessicchio Family Special Trust” has been established to help this family deal with their enormous ongoing costs.

The fund has been established by Koziatek.

If you are in the position to help, please make your check payable to:

“The Vessicchio Family Special Trust” Citizen’s Bank

And send your donation to:
Law Offices of Zullo & Jacks LLC
83 Main Street
East Haven CT 06512