Carmine Nittolo passed away on October 30 at the Faith Presbyterian Simmons Inpatient Center not far from his home in Dallas due to complications from lung cancer. His wife and son were by his side. The patriarch of the Nittolo family was 89 years old.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Julie, his son Mike, his granddaughter Jessica (husband Finny), grandson Kevin, and daughter-in-law Kathy. He is pre-deceased by his mother Millie and sister Marie and is survived by his brother Al.
Carmine was a great guy. He was outgoing, hard working and a friend to all. The self-described “truckologist” was a man’s man. He was generous, dependable, fun, loyal and loving.
Carmine Joseph Nittolo was born in the Bronx on October 15, 1931. Known as “Nutchy” to his friends he loved playing stickball in the streets and visiting the candy stores that were popular at that time. He may or may not have snuck into a Yankee game or two to watch the great DiMaggio. But when it was time to go to work to support his family the 15 year-old Carmine went to work. Selling papers, shining shoes, whatever he needed to do. He loved the Bronx and talked about going to double feature movies and seeing many of the contemporary singers including: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole.
When it was time to serve his country he fought in the Korean War and was awarded a Purple Heart medal and a Bronze Service Star. It was hard for him to talk about his time in the army but his family was all very proud of him.
In 1956 he met Julie at the Enchanted Room Ballroom and began a love affair that lasted a lifetime. To paraphrase one of his favorite tunes: “she filled his heart with song and let him sing forevermore”. They had Mike in 1961 and moved to Pleasantville NY. Carmine was a great and devoted father. In his leisure time he played for the Stotz fast pitch softball team that won the New York State championship and went to the national finals. He taught his son about baseball, but more importantly about hard work and meeting responsibility.
When friends asked him to share important moments of their life he was there for them. He was best man at 3 friends’ weddings and was honored to be godfather to 6 children for their baptism. Everyone liked him. When his son was young he thought he had cousins everywhere because Carmine seemed to know everyone… and everyone liked Carmine.
When his grandchildren moved to Dallas he and Julie answered the call and moved there to support and love them. Taking Jessica to the park when she was home with the chicken pox and helping teach Kevin how to ride a bike. Later, he was overjoyed to be at his granddaughter’s wedding and proud to see his grandson’s movie.
When his fellow seniors needed him he was there for them also, often offering to give a friend a ride or calling the weekly bingo game. Carmine was an excellent pinnacle and bridge player and enjoyed going with his wife to play Texas hold’em.
The Nittolo family would like to thank the outstanding team from Faith Presbyterian Hospice (Deb, Deanna and Quanie) who provided excellent care and developed a bond with Carmine.
At this time a memorial service will be postponed due to an abundance of caution related to the pandemic. His ashes will be laid to rest at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice in his name. He would smile at the thought of helping someone else.
Advice to the angel pitchers in heaven… don’t throw him a fastball down the middle.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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