Obituary of Dr. Nicholas D. DeProspo

Nicholas D. DeProspo, Ph.D., Sc.D., 96, of Jackson passed away on Monday, December 30, 2019, just one day shy of his 59th wedding anniversary. Born in the Bronx, NY to Dominick and Lucia DeProspo, he had lived in Union and Old Bridge before settling in Jackson in 2004. Dr. DeProspo attended New York University where he received his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. He continued his education at the University of Washington for his postgraduate, and later also received an honorary degree from Seton Hall University. A US Army veteran, Nick served as a sergeant in the 197th General Hospital unit. In 1947, not long after serving as an Army medic in the Battle of the Bulge, he joined Seton Hall’s biology department and spent the next 25 years as the premed adviser for undergraduates. He was the founding dean of the School of Graduate Medical Education, which was renamed the School of Health and Medical Sciences. His life’s journey was one of distinction and accomplishment with many stops, and he held many positions at Seton Hall University in the Biology Department and administration including Associate Chancellor, Dean, Vice President for Planning, Interim Provost and Dean Emeritus. Dr. DeProspo led the school with a distinct mission: to develop in health science students, medical residents and fellows an awareness of their responsibility to contribute to an environment of loving care, sensitivity and respect for human dignity as they comfort people whose lives have been disrupted by illness or injury. While pursuing excellence as a scientist and as a teacher, his most important role was as a husband, father and grandfather. He leaves to mourn his passing his beloved wife of 59 years, Margaret “Joyce’ DeProspo; son. Dr. Douglas DeProspo and his wife, Dr. Kathleen Kozma of Ashburn, VA; three grandchildren, Christopher Andrew, Michael Edward and Elizabeth Anne; and many cousins and extended family members including his special cousin, Marie Bertone of Schenectady, NY. He is also survived by his faithful friend of over 65 years, William Fabian and his wife, Kathy of Monroe who have been there for him in his times of need. Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Friday, January 3, 2020 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 9:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson on Saturday, January 4, 2020. Entombment will follow in St. Gertrude’s Cemetery, 53 Inman Avenue, Colonia. In honor of this remarkable man, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Nicholas D. DeProspo Legacy of Science Undergraduate Research Fund to provide research grants to undergraduates in the sciences, Seton Hall University, 457 Centre Street, South Orange, NJ 07079. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com