Domenick Nicolaci, 92, of Dartmouth, Mass and formerly of Bella Vista Island in Fairhaven, Mass, passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2013 following a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Lydia Medeiros Nicolaci.
Born on April 19, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of the late Pasquale and Rosaria (Picariello) Nicolaci from Italy.
He was father of the late Armand Nicolaci and brother of the late Armando and John Nicolaci. He leaves behind his daughter and son-in-law Joseph and Rosalie Hassey of Dartmouth; his brother and wife Pasquale “Pat” and Huguette Nicolaci of Ft. Myers, Florida; his grandchildren Lisa and husband Jeff Perry of Dennis and Lori Randall of Boston. He also leaves behind his three great-grandchildren Derek, Jason and Kevin.
Domenick graduated from New Bedford High School in 1939. He served in the United States Army from 1942-1946 serving in WWII in Europe and also served in the US Army Medical Corps where he graduated from Walter Reed Pharmacy School. He was the CEO and owner of Cliftex Corporation.
He enjoyed painting and art of all forms. He also loved collecting rare shells from all over the world and had recently donated part of his collection which is currently being displayed at Harvard University.
He had distinguished himself as a man of business, as a citizen serving his community and as a caring individual. While accomplishing so much in business, he also served his community well as a member of the manufacturers advisory committee of the governors business advisory council, as a trustee of St. Luke’s Hospital of New Bedford, as a director of the Bank of Boston, as past director of the New Bedford area Chamber of Commerce, New Bedford Junior Achievement, the New Bedford chapter of the United Way and the recipient of the New Bedford Area Business Hall of Fame Award.
But perhaps his highest among his civil achievements had been his devotion to the needs of mentally challenged adults. He and his wife Lydia were the original founders of New Bedford Harbor services, which was the state’s first deinstitutionalization program for handicapped adults.
In 1986 Southeastern Massachusetts University honored these diverse accomplishments by bestowing upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration.
His Funeral will be held on Friday, January 18, 2013 at 9am from the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Fairlawn, 180 Washington St., Fairhaven followed by a Funeral Mass at 10am in St. Joseph’s Church, 74 Spring St., Fairhaven. Visiting hours will be held Thursday 4-7pm. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Bedford.
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