Accidental death of Givotovsky reverberates through Cornwall

CORNWALL — July 4 has become the traditional community day here in Cornwall, with a picnic, activities for the kids and a big softball game for all ages.

It was good timing for everyone to be together this year; word had been circulating since the night before of the sudden, accidental death of Nicholas Givotovsky.

Neighbors and friends hugged and commiserated at the picnic, and then got on with the business of being a community, grateful for the chance to be able to be together and remember a beloved community member.

The 44-year-old Givotovsky was mowing a field near his home on Dudleytown Road Friday afternoon, July 3. He was riding a brush hog, a heavy rotary mower used to cut tall grass. He hit a stump, and was thrown from his seat.

State police were called to the scene, arriving at about 6:45 p.m. to find Givotovsky dead.

He leaves his wife, Laura Kirk, and his children, Nina, 11 and Sasha, 9. His parents are Sergei and Victoria Givotovsky of Sharon.

Givotovsky was a member of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. However, a memorial service planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, will be held at the UCC church in Cornwall, in anticipation of a large crowd. A reception will follow at Town Hall.

“Nick was a very smart man, with a good sense of humor and good judgment, which is why he was chosen to serve on the school’s principal search committee,� said First Selectman Gordon Ridgway. “He was always doing sports and things with his kids, and with other people’s kids.�

He worked as a computer consultant from his home, but loved to be outdoors.

“He came to our farm every spring and bought plants for his yard. He was very involved with the agricultural fair. He was a positive, upbeat person who was always willing to help out. His loss creates a big hole. Cornwall needs more people like him.�

A full obituary may be found on Page A11.

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