Nicolino Samela

Nicolino ""Nick"" Samela, 87, of East Hartford, loving husband for over 55 years of the late Dorothy (Bateman) Samela, journeyed home to be with his wife in Heaven on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Manchester Memorial Hospital. Born in Waterbury on September 21, 1929, a son of the late Giovanni Baptiste and Angela (Sacco) Samela, he had been a resident of East Hartford since 1954. Nick was a graduate of Leavenworth High School in Waterbury, Class of 1947 and was a proud Staff Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Nick was employed for over 40 years by IBM where he retired as an Account Manager. A devout Catholic, Nick was a long time communicant of St. Isaac Jogues Church, East Hartford and was a member of the church men's club. Nick was a former member of the East Hartford Democratic Town Committee and the Knights of Columbus, Council #3901, East Hartford. Nick liked watching the New York Yankees, gardening, and Friday night dinners at Marco Polo Restaurant with Buddy and Jane Tomlinson. Nick is survived by three daughters, Nikki Foran and her husband, Stephen ""Lefty"", of South Windsor, Susan Samela and her life partner, Mark Alvord, of East Hartford, Angela Nason and her husband, Ed, of South Windsor; six grandchildren, Daniel Foran and his wife, Rebecca, of South Windsor, Stephanie Foran and her husband, Dr. Eric Barrett, of Cherry Hill, NJ, Matthew Foran and his fiancée, Sara Howe, of Manchester, NH, Nicholas Larose of Manchester, Jordan Nason and Ally Nason both of South Windsor; seven great-grandchildren, Dylan, Gavin, Ethan, Kaelynn, Jaydan, Raylee, and Paisley. He also leaves a brother, Andrew Samela and his wife, Jean, of Middlebury; two sisters, Kathryn Nordby and her husband, Lou, of Middlebury, Mary Sprano of Waterbury; his devoted caregiver, Amanda McLane and her husband, Ben, and their children of East Hartford; his precious cat, Sophie; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Along with his beloved wife and parents, Nick was predeceased by a son, John H. Samela of East Hartford; a grandson, Marc Larose of Summerville, SC; and a brother, Leonard ""Lenny"" Samela of Waterbury. Funeral service will be Tuesday (July 25th) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 am at St. Mary's Church, Main Street/ Maplewood Avenue, East Hartford. Entombment with military honors will follow at St. Mary's Mausoleum, Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. (The family has asked that everyone please go directly to the church on Tuesday morning). Relatives and friends may call at the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Monday (July 24th) from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Nick's name may be made to the Visiting Nurse & Health Services of CT, 8 Keynote Drive, Vernon, CT 06066. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.