Nicolo “Nicky” Vitale obituary

Gloucester – In loving memory of Gloucester Fisherman Nicolo Vitale 49, who passed away on April 20, 2020 at Addison Gilbert Hospital.

Known fondly as Nick or Nicky to many, he was born in Gloucester, MA on April 24, 1970. He was the son of Maria (Groppo) Vitale and the late Giuseppe Vitale of Trappeto, Sicily.

He grew up in Gloucester until the early eighties before he moved to Trappeto, Sicily with his parents and his younger sister. He returned to Gloucester in 1988 where he remained living until the sea winds called upon him.

Nicky was a fisherman for most of his adult life. Nicky deeply enjoyed being a fisherman on the open ocean, especially with a crew of friends or family. Anyone that knew Nicky personally, was lucky enough to experience his hearty laugh and infectious and bright smile. He was always happiest when he was surrounded by his closest friends and family, as well as, making his rounds in visiting with people at a local coffee shop, or at the St Peter’s Club, or his favorite pizzeria or at someone’s house for espresso. He loved to joke around with the best of them and just cared to make people laugh and smile and enjoy each other’s company! Continuing with his Sicilian traditions always remained important to Nicky, such as being with family and friends for St. Joseph’s Day and the St. Peter’s Fiesta. No one can deny the enormous and genuine heart Nicky had; he would do anything for anyone if they asked or if he saw they needed help, he’d just jump right in, no questions asked!

In April 2001, Nicky earned his 100 – ton captain’s license, an accomplishment he was very proud of. In 2003, he earned his GED from Gloucester High School. Following his return back to the States, Nicky mainly built a life out at sea as a local fisherman and he fished on the following fishing vessels: Stella Del Mare, Angela & Rose, Christina Eleni, Miss Trish, Miss Sandy, Miss Trish II, Cathy C, Sabrina Maria, Razo, Kayla Maria, and the Helen S III.

He is survived by his loving mother Maria, sister Angela (Vitale) Regina, beloved nephew Antonio Regina who he adored with every fiber of his being, brother-in-law Paride Regina and maternal grandparents Giuseppe and Lucia Groppo, all of Trappeto, Sicily. He also leaves behind his Uncle Leonardo Vitale and aunt Rosalie, Uncle Pasquale Vitale and aunt Giovanna, Uncle Francesco Groppo and aunt Crocetta, all of Gloucester and Aunt Piera Vitale of Terrasini, Sicily. He will be remembered fondly by cousins Nicolo Vitale of Naples, FL and wife Angela, Rosa (Vitale) Geomelos of Danvers and husband Lenny, Paul Vitale of Gloucester and wife Justine, Angela Vitale of Gloucester and fiancé Rick, Nick Vitale of Gloucester, Fabrizio Vitale of Clearwater, FL and fiancé Sally, Maria (Groppo) Carpenter of Gloucester and Daniel, Enza Groppo of Gloucester, Nicolo Vitale of Brussels, Belgium and wife Enza, Mario Vitale of Terrasini, Sicily and wife Fanny and Daniele Vitale of Terrasini, Sicily and wife Gessica. He also adored his godchildren Kayla Collibee and Ava Vitale. He had many cousins, including in California, Germany and Sicily, and some wonderful friends that treated Nicky like family.

He is predeceased by his father Giuseppe Vitale, uncle Antonino Vitale, grandparents Nicolo and Angela Vitale, and cousin Angela A. Vitale.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, visiting services with his family were held privately. A memorial mass and Celebration of Nicky’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Nick’s Fishermen’s Safety Fund through Cape Ann Savings Bank, 109 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 to help provide personal safety devices to fishermen. Arrangements by Greely Funeral Home 212 Washington Street, Gloucester. For online condolences, please visit http://www.greelyfuneralhome.com.

Gloucester Daily Times published the obit on April 27, 2020

Tributes for Nicky at St. Peter’s Club (Donations left at St. Peter’s club for covid-19 with tributes to Nicky since last week. His death came just shy of his 50th.)

Updated – with message from Rose

“It’s been so wonderful to see how the community of Gloucester has found their own ways to remember my cousin Nicky in an honorable manner. Seeing the flowers on the benches at the St. Peter’s Club, the flags flying at half mast in his rememberance, and the many nice things people expressed about him on Facebook or verbally, has been heart-warming during this difficult time for my family. What’s been lovely to hear or see are all the common themes expressed about my cousin Nicky ~ he had a huge heart, would do anything for anyone, and donned even bigger smile! Those sentiments mean so much to all of my family because they most certainly are true! Someone I was speaking to the other day said something that really clicked with me and choked me up a little and I thought it was truly special when she said, “You know Ro, Nick was like the son of Gloucester!”… I LOVED that because he loved going around town to visit with, chat with and have his espresso with people he truly cared about and enjoyed seeing. He did often drive around Gloucester and became a staple in many family’s homes or at the various wharfs around town, or the St. Peter’s Club, or Sebastian’s Pizza, or where ever he popped in to say hi, joke a bit, laugh a bit or just wanted to plain say hello to someone. When I think about it I can only smile because I guess all that matters is that it made my cousin’s day when he received the smiles back at him! R.I.P Nick Your hearty laugh and big smile was taken away much too soon from Gloucester!” 

“He Was the Type of Guy Who Would do Anything for You” Gloucester Daily Times, 4/22/2020 by Sean Horgan: Read the article here;  and another short piece by Horgan, with photos by Paul Bilodeau, also Gloucester Daily Times