Nicholas J. Pietropaolo

Nicholas was born in Elizabeth, raised in Newark and lived in Toms River prior to entering the service. He then lived in Jacksonville, North Carolina and Buffalo, New York prior to moving back to the Toms River area. He was a CH-53 aviation mechanic for the United States military and an accomplished Marine. He was the recipient of the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (Kuwait), Global War on Terrorism Services Medal, National Defense Service Medal as well as a three time recipient (expert) of the Rifle Qualification Badge. During his military career he served in Operation Enduring Freedom from January to March of 2003 (Iraq), Operation Iraqi Freedom from March to June of 2003 (Iraq), Operation 26 MEU LF6F from March to June of 2005 (Kuwait) and Operation Enduring Freedom from June to December of 2006 (24th MEU).

In addition to Nicholas's extensive military career, he was a loving father, son, brother and uncle. He was known for being a jack of all trades and his smile and charisma could light up any room. He could be quite the jokester and family was always first and foremost for him. Of all of the titles Nicholas had - Dad and US Marine - he adored being his nephew Caden's superhero.

Nicholas was predeceased by his father John Pietropaolo; paternal grandparents Nicholas and Mary Pietropaolo; maternal great grandmother Stasia Cordeiro "GiGi" and maternal grandfather Ronald D'Amore. Surviving are his three beautiful children Alyssa, Dominick and Giovanni Pietropaolo; mother Lisa DeSa and "Dad" Jack; maternal grandmother Dolores D'Amore; sisters Nicole Fisher and her husband Christopher and Jacqalyn DeSa and her fiancé Kevin Fisher; nephew Caden Fisher and many loving aunts, uncles and dear friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 3, 2017 from 2PM to 4PM and 7PM to 9PM at Horizon Funeral & Cremation Services, 1329 Route 37 West, Toms River. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Nicholas's honor to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas, 66675-8517 or www.woundedwarriorproject.com to aid the service men and women that suffer from PTSD.

Till Valhalla Semper Fi