Nunzi D D'Alfonso

With his daughter and son-in-law by his side, Nunzi D'Alfonso, passed away Friday afternoon, January 20, 2012 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, after a year long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis and severe anemia.

Nunzi was born in Portland, Maine on December 9, 1932. He was the youngest son of the late Costantino and Giacinta Sabatini D'Alfonso. He attended local schools and was a graduate of Portland High School, Class of 1951. He met his wife Theresa Baudone in Portland's Little Italy section of Middle and Newbury Streets. They married on September 5, 1955.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1952 and served aboard the USS Wasp during the Korean War until his discharge in November 1954. He then went on to work in the family business, C. D'Alfonso and Sons, Inc. that his father founded in 1943. Nunzi became President of the company after the passing of his brother Samuel. He presided with his father in the daily operations of the company. His brother Joe joined Nunzi and their father in 1961. Excavating projects included the Free Street Parking Garage, Casco Bank Building and the construction of the tunnel that ran from the Press Herald to its printing operations on Congress St. The companies many projects also included the rebuilding of many City of Portland streets and sidewalks, and a long standing contract with New England Telephone for over 50 years. Nunzi had a reputation of being a fair, honest and hardworking man.

He was a very active parishioner of St. Pius X Parish. A member of the Holy Name Society, Parish Council, and Building Committee on the construction of the new church. He was a generous Benefactor to all church projects.

Nunzi was a lover of his beloved Cadillacs. He had purchased as many as 6 in his lifetime. His last Cadillac was a 25ft. 1985 Powder Blue Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham which still remains in mint condition. He enjoyed bowling and was a member of many men's leagues and was the 1971 City of Portland Men's Ten Pin Champion.

He was also an avid golfer and a member of Riverside Golf Course. In 1973, Nunzi along with dear friend Gilbert Donatelli and Perley Thompson and a few other contractors formed the Construction Golf League. Contractors gathered every Thursday afternoon at Riverside for weekly golf matches, enjoying a good beer and a night out of dinner each and every week. In September most gathered for a long weekend to conclude their season at Colonial Golf Course and the Sheraton Hotel in Wakefield, MA. The league is still an ongoing tradition.

Nunzi was a sharp dresser. He was known for his Fedora hats and would make many trips to Boston for custom fittings and purchase them. You could always see him wearing them even on his project sites.

He and his business partner and brother Joe, whom he considered his mentor, were the best of friends. They enjoyed bidding on projects and making sure all aspects of what the company was undertaking was precise and accurate. Nunzi and Joe enjoyed taking gambling trips, golf outings, a walk at the Maine Mall and always had a cup of coffee to end their day.

Nunzi and his wife Theresa were married for 54 years until her passing in July 2009. They enjoyed going out to dinner and dances with friends, and trips to Atlantic and New York City.

A caring and devoted father to his only child Annemarie and loving grandfather to Maria, Laura and Rudy DiMillo. We will never forget you and all the Blessings that you bestowed on us. In addition to being predeceased by his wife Theresa Baudone D'Alfonso, he was also predeceased by his brothers, Samuel, Joseph and John D'Alfonso and his twin sister Theresa D'Alfonso Methot whom he cherished. He is survived by his sister Mary D'Alfonso McCartney and her husband James, and his brother Nicholas D'Alfonso, Sr., his daughter Annemarie D'Alfonso - DiMillo and her husband Rudy DiMillo who went above and beyond for his father - in - law in his final days, his grandchildren, Maria, Laura and Rudy DiMillo, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A special Thank You to Father Robert Regan who visited Nunzi and his family during his final hours and his caregiver Susan Gilbert.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation from 4-8 p.m Friday January 27, at Jones,Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Portland, Me. Prayers will be recited at 9:15 am at the funeral home followed by A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 am Saturday January 28, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 492 Ocean Ave, Portland. Interment will follow at New Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Nunzi's guestbook.