22-year-old who died in incident on Cape Cod was to graduate from college in May

A young Massachusetts man who died this weekend on Cape Cod has been identified and is being remembered.

According to the Wellfleet Fire Department, on Saturday, at just after 6:00 p.m., Wellfleet emergency services were notified of a kayaker in distress after a blue kayak overturned, with the individual reported to be wearing a green life jacket and drifting in the current.

A coordinated search effort was immediately launched involving multiple agencies. The Wellfleet Harbormaster deployed two boats staffed with Harbormaster and Wellfleet Fire Department personnel, and the Eastham Harbormaster also responded with a boat to assist with the search on the water. Wellfleet Police officers conducted shoreline searches, assisted by the Wellfleet Shellfish Warden.

Additional aerial search resources were provided by Eastham Police and Truro Fire Department using drones. The United States Coast Guard also responded and deployed a helicopter to assist in searching the surrounding waters.

At 8:02 p.m., the kayaker was located in the water by one of the Harbormaster’s boats and brought to shore. Eastham Fire Department provided ambulance transport to Cape Cod Hospital.

22-year-old Nicholas John Alvernaz was transported in critical condition and was later pronounced deceased at Cape Cod Hospital.

According to an obituary, Alvernaz was expected to graduate with his Bachelor of Science in Anthropology in May from the University of Vermont. “Nicholas was a young man of extraordinary talent, creativity, and heart. He was a phenomenal chef who found immense joy in cooking for his loved ones, creating meals that brought the people he cared about together. He also had a deep passion for photography, possessing a unique gift for capturing and appreciating the profound beauty found in ordinary, everyday life. His warmth, compassion, and generous spirit touched many, and he leaves behind numerous friends and an extended family who will miss him forever.”

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, March 20th, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Rd, Marstons Mills. An additional visiting hour will take place on Saturday, March 21st, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1130 Falmouth Rd, in Centerville, immediately followed by Nicholas’s funeral service at 11:00 a.m., to which relatives and friends are cordially invited. Burial to follow.