James Peter Nemergut

James Peter Nemergut, age 75, of Stratford, unexpectedly passed away on June 6 at his home. Jim was born in Bridgeport on December 3rd, 1946, beloved son of Stephen and Evelyn (Campbell) Nemergut and had been a lifelong area resident. He was a graduate of Bunnell High School, class of 1964. He enlisted in the United States Navy out of high school and served our country until 1966 during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged. Jim then went to college, with stops at Housatonic Community College, Sacred Heart University, and Florida State. For these last two schools, he was able to walk-on to the men’s basketball teams even though he had not played basketball in high school. His team at Florida State, where he earned a basketball scholarship, was runners-up in the NCAA Tournament to the great John Wooden’s UCLA National Championship squad of 1972. He earned his BA from Florida State. He also earned a tryout with the Virginia Squires of the former American Basketball Association after his college career was over.

Jim’s life was drastically changed when he took all the money he had in the world (about $5000) and bought the rights to the business of the former Cutspring Grocery in Stratford. The massive cleaning and refurbishing job he did, along with his brother, David Nemergut, had to be seen to be believed. Cutspring Deli opened in 1977 and it was really during his years there, until he permanently sold it in 1995, where his best memories were made. He created “The Cutspring Crew” - a group of high school students, normally hand-picked by his good friend, retired Bunnell High School Guidance Counselor Chuck Sobolewski, who were solid individuals, and adults, who he always said, he was lucky to have come his way.

Working at Cutspring was unique whether it be the practical jokes we all played on each other, the celebration of individual employees’ special events, or each of the crews’ own unique personalities; it worked well. The Crew was Jim’s other family and he treated them as such. His Christmas parties were legendary.

Later, long after the store was sold, former employees created a Facebook page to keep in touch. They have hosted multiple reunions. Former employees Meg Haffner and Marie Goldbach have been instrumental with keeping “The Crew’’ together. One of these reunions was just last week, before Jim passed. He was at his happiest during these get-togethers. How many other jobs that mixed adults and teenagers can say that they have wanted reunions for over 40 years? Cutspring Deli was that special of a place and Jim made it that way.

After he sold the store, Jim threw himself full time into something that he had been doing part-time, land development and building houses. The town of Oxford, especially, has many examples of his wonderful house-building abilities.

During this time, he also got his Master’s Degree in Education from Sacred Heart University on the side.

Building houses was something that he did up until two years ago.

Beyond his work career, Jim loved to dance, listen to Motown Music, and fish. He speed-walked the New York City Marathon and he also caught a 39 inch, 13 pound tiger muskie in Woodridge Lake in Goshen that the entire family lovingly deemed “the stupidest fish in the lake”.

He served on Stratford’s Town Council from 1981 to 1984. He previously was a golfing member at Mill River Country Club in Stratford, Oronoque Country Club, also in Stratford, and The Golf Course at Yale in New Haven. He was also a member of the Florida State Varsity Club.

He leaves to cherish his memory, brothers, Stephen (of Wallingford, CT), Edward (of Stratford, CT), Daniel (of Goshen, CT); and sister, Mary Lynn (of Bridgeport, CT). He was predeceased by his brother, David. His greatest joys were derived from his nieces and nephews: Lance, Duane, Vanessa, Natasha, Anna, Katherine, and Nicholas. His generosity towards them has been staggering.

Friends and family may visit on Friday (Today), June 10, 2022, from 4-7 p.m. at the Dennis & Darcy Abriola & Keleman Funeral Home, 2611 Main Street, Stratford. Masks are optional. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 11th at 10:00 a.m. meeting directly at St. Mark’s Church, 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford. Interment will take place at St. Michael’s Cemetery, 2205 Stratford Avenue. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make a donation in memory of Jim Nemergut to dav.org (Disabled American Veterans)