Thursday, February 6, 2020
I met John Nasto about 12 years ago on Farmstead Lane in Gbury. I was running up the hill, John was shuffling down it. I had passed John on many occasions but this one time I decided to stop and introduce myself. I was so glad that I did. As a 53 year old, I take pride in the fact that I can still get out and run. John was still running at 81….a goal I hope to one day attain. I would so look forward to turning into the Buttonball neighborhood looking for John on his 4 mile loop. Every few weeks our paths would cross, my headphones would come out and I’d join him for maybe a mile or so. It was always the highlight of my run. He was so interesting to chat with…whether it was politics, the stock market or grandkids and college…John’s knowledge base went deep. He took a keen interest in my line of work (aircraft sales), and always started with “hello there, how are the top 1% doing?” He knew how to make people laugh.
I last saw John a year or so ago at Highland Park Market on Hebron Ave. We chatted for about ten minutes…he told me of his wife’s passing and the return of an illness but he was surprisingly upbeat. We were both still running. I am profoundly sorry that I didn’t take the time to visit him in Farmington…perhaps I took it for granted that he’d always be around and… still running.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. I enjoyed my time with John and will think of him often as I strive to keep running for many years to come!
God Bless.
Michael McCafferty
