As a board member of the East Hampton Historical Society for 25 years, Joseph Aversano Jr. of East Hampton was a driving force behind several of the organization’s most important initiatives in the areas of membership development, special-event planning, fund-raising, and historic restoration work.
Mr. Aversano, who had a jovial, larger-than-life personality and a keen eye for collecting art and furniture, died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest at home on Egypt Lane on June 25. He was 72.
“His cleverness and wit were beyond amazing, and he was filled with flair,” his partner of nearly 50 years, Robert Caruso, recalled this week. “Everybody loved him.”
He had a long marketing and sales career in the international fashion world, working with high-end companies such as Yves St. Laurent, Izod, and Cacharel. And he dressed the part, too, Mr. Caruso said, often attending exclusive events in French-tailored suits.
In a tribute to Mr. Aversano last week, Steve Long, executive director of the historical society, said the group “is incredibly grateful for the myriad of ways that he contributed to our mission and vision.” Just recently, the society bestowed its Silver Anniversary Award on Mr. Aversano for his 25 years of service, which included chairing the house tour committee — finding the houses — and membership parties.
Only two weeks ago, at the organization’s most recent membership party, Mr. Aversano “held court — like he did at every event he attended — regaling guests with stories, jokes, and gossip, and encouraging them to become more involved with the Historical Society,” Mr. Long wrote.
Joseph Louis Aversano Jr. was born in Brooklyn on Aug. 18, 1950, to Joseph L. Aversano and the former Nancy Marcigliano. He grew up there and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute.
A year later, mutual friends introduced him to Mr. Caruso. Soon after, they visited Southampton on vacation, and in 1976, they visited East Hampton. They bought their first house here in 1978 and were immediately invited into elite social circles and pool parties. “Every person was wearing caftans. It was a look we’d never seen before,” Mr. Caruso recalled.
The couple officially tied the knot on Sept. 9, 2008. They traveled the world — including many trips to Tokyo and Paris, staying in the finest hotels — but Mr. Aversano “conducted a lot of business in our swimming pool” at home in East Hampton.
Inspired by the designers he worked for, their residences always featured “an eclectic mix of midcentury design,” said Mr. Caruso, who is a retired builder. “He was always researching, reading The New York Times and every design publication.”
In addition to his husband, Mr. Aversano leaves a brother, Vincent Aversano of New Jersey, and many close friends in East Hampton.
He was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where a funeral service will take place on Aug. 18 at 11 a.m. The Very Rev. Denis Brunelle, a close friend for more than a decade, will come out of retirement to officiate along with the Rev. Ben Shambaugh.
Mr. Aversano was cremated and his ashes will be buried in Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church’s cemetery on Cedar Street. Memorial donations have been suggested to the East Hampton Historical Society, 151 Main Street, East Hampton 11937.
