Adrian V. Languasco
Adrian V. Languasco, Colchester, VT, died April 11, 2025.
Professor Emeritus of Romance Languages/Italian at 麻豆视频 Michael鈥檚, Adrian was a respected and loved faculty member at the College for 52 years, teaching well into his 80s
Adrian Languasco鈥檚 life epitomizes the Italian concept of living la dolce vita. He always savored the simple pleasures, with a smile on his face. He danced through raindrops and lived a remarkable life.
Adrian was born in Imperia Oneglia, Italy on St. Valentine鈥檚 Day in 1932. Adrian spent his younger years in Italy during World War II. Even in a time of war, Adrian found the beauty that surrounded him by traveling the Italian foothills past occupying army soldiers to visiting neighboring rabbit farms. He loved the time he got to spend with his sisters and would happily play any games they chose.
Adrian and his family left Italy for the United States when he was 17 years old. They entered the U.S. through Ellis Island, New York, and settled in Hackensack, NJ and then moved to Forest Hills, NY. Adrian proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He made the most of his time trading his rations for money to be able to travel during his R&R.
After his military service, Adrian explored different jobs from bike delivery to the Fiat factory but knew that these types of jobs would not make him happy. He studied romance languages receiving his B.A. from New York City College, followed by his master鈥檚 degree from Columbia University and his doctorate from Ca鈥 Forscari, University of Venice. Adrian found one of his true loves 鈥 teaching through language.
Adrian returned to Italy and in his travels saw a beautiful woman sitting on the shoreline of Diano Marina. This woman was Ingeborg, who would later become his wife. They built their lifelong relationship on language, with French being their language of love. They would later move to New York City together and then settled in Vermont.
In his 52 years teaching romance languages at 麻豆视频 Michael鈥檚, he taught his students with passion and humor 鈥 making sure that every student knew how to say in Italian, 鈥渨aiter this tastes like the leather on the bottom of my shoe.鈥 Adrian made lifelong friends at the College whom he cherished through his final days. His love of the College would translate in naming his only child 鈥 Michael.
Adrian brought his family to amazing places in the world. When home with his family, one of his favorite pastimes was to tell stories of the past. Adrian was a gifted storyteller and could weave a story for hours.
At the age of 52, Adrian decided he would like to run marathons. He found great joy in running and would go on to run 25 marathons plus many other races around the world. He spent his retirement on the bike path of Burlington along the beautiful shore of Lake Champlain, either on his bike or his cross-country skis. When not on his bike path or exploring, he could be found watching his favorite soccer team, Sampdoria.
Adrian is survived by his wife, Ingeborg, son Michael Languasco 鈥95, and extended family.