A soft-spoken gentleman with beautiful blue eyes and a warm smile for all, Nicola Susi peacefully passed away on Saturday, September 26th surrounded by his loving family.

Born May 10, 1939 in Sulmona, Italy, to Antonio and Maria Susi. Nicola was just 16 years old when he arrived with his sister Elda in the North End of Boston to join their father. He quickly embraced his new homeland taking night classes in English and working long hours as a meat cutter at Central Beef in South Boston – the meat he cut was sent to the soldiers fighting the war in Vietnam. Nicola particularly enjoyed riding his first car – a 1962 blue Thunderbird and meeting friends to play cards or sip espresso at the Café Dello Sport.

Romance called in 1962 when he went back to Italy to marry his sweetheart, Maria Ventresca. They returned to the North End to begin their new life together and start a family. Nicola and Maria’s son Frank and daughter Marylu, remember him taking them every Sunday to Castle Island in South Boston. He would also drive the family to Uncle Joe & Aunt Ilda’s house in Somerville to join their cousins Debbie and Jesse in getting Mamma Lisa’s Pizza. Nicola’s children also fondly recall visits to Lynn to see Uncle Frank and Auntie Liliana where the adults sipped Frank’s homemade wine in the backyard.

In the 1970’s, Nicola opened his own butcher store in the North End providing the meat for countless local businesses and residents. While not a big man, he had the strength to work in the cold and lift the heavy meats with ease. Later, Nicola closed the butcher shop and the Susi’s moved to a home in Somerville. He tirelessly worked two jobs to support the family and send his children to catholic schools and his daughter on to college.

Sunday lunches were all about family and feasting. Nicola, with his brother Gaetano and brother-in-law Giovanni, would eat huge bowls of homemade pasta. Throughout the years, Maria along with her sisters-in-laws, Elda & Aquilina, would keep this tradition. Frank and Marylu grew up with their cousins, Lucy, Aldo, Tony, Gino, Nino & Johnny as if they were their own siblings. Many days were also spent with Nicola’s mother-in-law “Nonna Flora”, reminiscing about his father-in-law, Cesidio.

Recently, nurses and family remarked on Nicola’s rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes that must have been the result of years of Maria’s excellent cooking. A deeply devoted wife, Maria cared for Nicola through many years of hardships with his health. Throughout, she selflessly kept his spirits high and his belly well fed. In July, Nicola and Maria celebrated 53 years of marriage.

During his short retirement years, Nicola enjoyed spending time with his grandsons Dante and Damian who filled his days with even more smiles. The boys affectionately referred to their grandfather as “Nu Nu”. After school, they would join their grandfather to have soup and gnocchi lovingly cooked by their “Na”.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, Nicola touched many hearts and will be remembered always.

Funeral from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., MEDFORD Wednesday at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant Street, Malden, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Tuesday 4 - 8 PM. Services will conclude with entombment at Holy Cross Mausoleum, Malden.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to "St. Patrick School - In Memory of Nicola Susi" 20 Pleasant St., Stoneham, MA 02180. Please include "Class of 2017 and 2019."