Dionisio Nieves, 63, from Chicopee, MA, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2018 while surrounded by his family. He was born in Isabela, Puerto Rico and grew up in barrio Jobos where he spent many days swimming in the emerald waters of the Atlantic. At the age of 16, he made the brave decision to come to the mainland searching for the American dream. He was the first in his family to make that journey. His brothers and sisters all followed his path in the years to come. He started working in the agricultural industry while continuing to look for new opportunities. He went on to work in a grocery store and factories while continuing to better himself, learning English and finishing his high school equivalency. He obtained his first job with the State, working at Belchertown State Hospital, where he worked his way up from the laundry room to becoming certified as an EMT. He was so proud of that certification and was quick to share his medical expertise with his doctors and nurses at Dana-Farber. He went on to provide direct care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at the Department of Developmental Services until his retirement in 2015. He worked hard for all that he achieved in life and instilled this ethic in his children.
He was a life-long learner teaching himself mechanics, electronics, carpentry and computers, skills he would readily use to assist a family member in need. He loved music especially the sound of the cuatro and guitar. He loved the news and following world events and would spend hours on end talking about them. Most of all he adored his grandchildren. His greatest pride was seeing Christopher and Kayla grow up into the young adults that they are today. He was so excited to see both of them nearing the end of their studies at Westfield State and UMass. He was also blessed to spend hours and hours playing and laughing with Sebastian, Benjamin and Gabriel while teaching them life's early lessons. He did his best to protect them from every bump, every scrape and every fall.
He leaves behind his wife, Alicia, who supported and comforted him during his courageous battle with cancer. He is also survived by his daughters Wanda and husband David, Lisandra and his son Richard. He leaves his cherished grandchildren Christopher, Kayla, Sebastian, Benjamin and Gabriel. He will be missed by his siblings Felix, Efrain, Olga, Miguel, Amalia, Zoraida, Celia, Hector and Fernando and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Primitivo Nieves & Cornelia Perez, his parents, Fernando Nieves & Ramona Santiago, his brothers, Audeliz & Samuel Nieves and sister, Sonia Valle.