A tribute to my dad- the greatest man I've ever known

Father's Day '08

Our family at the twins 1st birthday party

My favorite and best last memory of dad...this is always how I will remember him.

Dad and Abrianna

Just 9 days before dad passed away with his grandkids

I know many of you already know that my dad passed away on November 11, 2008 - making it to his 67th birthday and his 46th wedding anniversary. It was very sudden and shocking. We found out on October 26th that he had cancer though that was the 2nd trip to the hospital for him - the first one he had his gall bladder removed and that was causing him a lot of problems but he was just really tired and not eating much and wasn't seeming to recover. It was the 2nd hospital trip just days later that he was having chest pains...EKG was fine but they did a chest scan and that is when they found it. Lung cancer that spread to his liver and just days later with a full body scan they found it in his lymph nodes and into his bones. Our 1st appointment with the oncologist was bad news...he couldn't treat him in his weak condition. He tried to give him some meds to help but he was deteriorating so fast it was inevitable we were doomed. It was the most horrific news I have ever had in my life. Unfortunately both his mother and brother died of cancer at an early age so the history was there. He didn't want to believe it and he was so preoccupied with dealing with the pain and discomfort shortly before we got him comfortable, it was then that he didn't have a voice anymore to talk to us but he was still very alive in his mind and we knew he was still trying to communicate. It was the longest and fastest 2 weeks and 2 days of my entire life and I was watching the man I adore turn into someone I didn't know. It's been devastating for all of us - Massimo's been taking it very hard as well - who would've thought a 3 1/2 yr old would understand pain and loss - it breaks my heart every time he asks for him. Anyway, as a tribute to my dad and for those of you who may not know my relationship with him...I have included the Eulogy that my sister and I wrote for him.

How do you begin to talk about a man that was so many things to so many people? First and foremost, Nedo was a loving husband of 46 years, a father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. But he was also a friend, partner, mentor, teammate, and business colleague to many here today. He earned respect, admiration, and often love from those who knew him. Nedo was intelligent, generous, fair and genuine. So many people have told us during this difficult time what they thought of him and these words come up over and over again. He lit up the room with his smile, his charisma and his charm, he was a true gentleman. He loved life and always tried to enjoy it to the fullest. His life is an example for all…he had no regrets and he didn’t wait for opportunities, he made them, that’s what made him such an admirable man. His grandchildren were his pride and joy – he loved spending time with them, playing with them and hearing everything about their lives. He was driven to succeed in life through his hard work and determination he helped build a successful business the last 26 years. He enjoyed playing golf, bocce ball, tending his vegetable garden, watching sports on tv, and always a good joke! He also took pleasure in going out to dinner, dancing, traveling with his wife & friends and visiting his family in Italy.

on behalf of Nedo’s daughter’s Cynthia & Stephanie:

He was a man that was kind and generous
He loved all of us with such joy and pride
That it lit up his face every time we were together.
There was never a time that we could not talk to him or that he would not offer advice (asked for or not)but being such an intelligent and knowledgeable man, we were lucky to have had someone like that to give us advice.
He was a man that made sure that his family was taken care of even if it meant he had to sacrifice something important to him.
Dad was such a hard working man and worked to earn the kind of life he wanted. His words were the law in our house. He was very strict as a father but that’s only because he cared for us. Little did we know that he was already teaching us the most valuable lessons in life – work ethics and standing up for what you believe in – he always wanted to protect us. As we grew older and had families of our own, we slowly understood why he treated us like that. We learned that the most important thing that he had was us, his family. Though he may never have said it out loud we know that he was really proud of what we have become. We are who we are now because we had a father like him. As most of you may know our father never showed his feelings. You would only see that look or smile that told you that he was proud, and seeing him like that made you feel on top of the world.
He was a very compassionate and kind person. He never asked anybody for help but he was a very generous man, and he never wanted to be acknowledged for anything he did. When he helped he simply helped.
He showed strength until the end. We will continue what our father has started. It’ll be filling huge shoes but he’s worth it. Let’s just remember everything that he shared with us. And let’s be happy that he is now in peace.