Nick Basilie Artino

Nick Basilie Artino was born in Cleveland in 1922. Aside from serving in World War Two, where he earned a purple heart, he spent his entire life here. As he would say, "Cleveland's my town." In many ways, his story parallels the story of Cleveland itself. He survived the Depression, when the Artino family found creative ways to prepare roadside dandelions, grow food in the basement, and to stretch the meat from a single chicken into multiple meals. He worked at Republic Steel for 34 years through an era of Cleveland manufacturing. And, from an immigrant family, Nick was proudly Italian-American. He sacrificed for his country by serving in the Pacific theatre during World War Two and always valued the promise and privilege of American citizenship alongside his Sicilian heritage. Family was the scaffolding of Nick's life. From a large family himself, he settled down in Chesterland with his first wife, Betty, to raise his own, beginning with two daughters, Joyce and Kathy. After Nick was widowed, he met another Betty, who had also been widowed, at a local single's event. Ever the gentleman, Joyce, Kathy, and Betty's daughter, Sue, accompanied them on all of their first dates! He was very lucky in love with two beautiful Betty's. Nick and Betty married and built their lives together for over 50 years. Although home was always Cleveland, Nick thought that travel was "the best education." He and Betty would pack up the trailer, take their three daughters out of school, and headed out on roadtrips all over America. They visited 49 of the 50 states, highlights being the National Parks, Niagara Falls, and the Blue Parrot in Florida. The family grew bigger when Nick's three daughters were married to Tom, Bruce, and Paul, and brought Nick and Betty five grandchildren: Liz, Chris, Kelly, Hilary, and T.J. Every August, the whole big Artino Family would gather for bocce, pasta, and cannoli. Nick believed "there's no one better or worse than you" and "it doesn't hurt to talk to people." He would share stories with the people he met at the airport, at restaurants, or on a bench at the mall while Betty shopped, making friends wherever he went. Nick passed away peacefully on September 5, 2014, surrounded by his family. His enthusiasm and gratitude for this life that he could share with family, friends, and even strangers, never faltered. In his last days, he told everyone "I've had a wonderful life."

Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, at Church of Saint Anselm, 12969 Chillicothe Rd., Chester Twp. Rev. Stephen Spisak will officiate.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, at Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Rd., Chester Twp. Burial will be in All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Twp.