Obituary for Nicola Tucci
TUCCI, Nicola ‘Nick’
(April 22, 1940 - February 11, 2021)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Nicola Tucci, at Sault Area Hospital in his 81st year. Beloved husband of 56 years to Pearl. Admired and proud ‘Papa’ to his children, Angelina Sorrenti (Dominic) and Daniel Tucci (Sarah). Adored by his grandchildren, Amanda (Tristan), Jordan (Ashley), Brandan (Sandra), Noah, and Sophie, and his great-grandchildren Ally, Riley, and Emilia. Cherished brother, brother-in-law, and uncle to many.
Born in Bucchianico, Chieti, Italy to Angelina and Enrico, Nick was the second youngest of 7 siblings. As a teenager he left home and had the opportunity to travel to many different countries and learn a handful of different languages. At the age of 20 he found himself in Switzerland, where he spent some time as a glassblower – a skill he was especially proud of. From there he found a passion for learning and working with his hands. He made his way to Sault Ste Marie, where he met the love of his life, Pearl.
He worked for 32 years at Algoma Steel before retiring in 1998. It was in 2000 that he built his dream Lake Superior waterfront home on Whiskey Bay Road. He enjoyed the slower pace of life and had a passion for the great outdoors. He felt at peace surrounded by nature and enjoyed the company of the ducks that would visit him at the shoreline. He enjoyed many years of walks up the road with his canine best friend, Sandy, who he missed greatly these last few years.
If you were to ask us to describe him, we would offer you a coffee and some fig newtons and ask you to stay awhile. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He never met an animal he didn’t like, especially dogs. He was an avid gardener that could grow just about anything, anywhere. He even tried his skills at farming in the early days with rabbits, chickens and even a pony.
He was a talented woodworker and self-taught carpenter. There wasn’t a single thing he couldn’t fix, or at least it looked that way because he just hid the broken things in his garage where you couldn’t see them. He was organized in his very own way, you might not have been able to find the tools you needed, but he knew exactly where they were. He was always willing to lend a helping hand if someone needed to build something. In his later years he couldn’t get down on the ground to help as much - although he still tried because no one tells Nick he can’t do something. It was often joked that when grandpa came to supervise a task, ‘Norman the Foreman’ had arrived.
He had a sense of humor that was second to none and he was a trickster at heart. Even up to his last few days he was joking around and telling his grandchildren that he was tricking the doctors into thinking he wasn’t doing well so he could have visitors. He loved a good prank and when he had an idea for one, he committed to it wholly. One of our favorites is the time he carefully cracked open an entire bag of walnuts, removed each nut, and flawlessly glued each shell back together. He placed them in a bowl and patiently waited for someone to try and snack on them. The laughter that came from him when he watched his son-in-law open shell after shell to reveal an empty inside is one we will never forget.
He was a teacher, a leader, and he always had a solution to any problem anyone had. He was never short on advice, but because he was always right, we didn’t usually mind. If he ever tried to teach you something you’ve likely heard the words, “You No Liss!” He could solve a Rubik’s cube in under a minute and play the accordion. He was passionate about a few things, but nothing as fierce as making sure not a single berry from his bushes ever went to waste... oh, and you wouldn’t dare pick them if they weren’t ripe yet.
Nicky, Papa, Grandpa – It was so hard for us to let go of your physical presence, but it’s important for us to remember you will be with us in our memories of you. In every practical joke we play, in every fish we catch, in every paddle boat ride we take. In every broken item we fix with some duct tape, in every soap opera we watch, in the cabinets you built, the gardens you planted, and forever and always, in the love you left in our hearts.
Special thank you to Dr. Luke Fera for your kindness and compassion. We will never be able to thank you enough for the precious time you gave us this past week.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sault Area Hospital Foundation Critical Care Fund (payable to or online to).
A celebration of life will be planned for a later date.
(April 22, 1940 - February 11, 2021)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Nicola Tucci, at Sault Area Hospital in his 81st year. Beloved husband of 56 years to Pearl. Admired and proud ‘Papa’ to his children, Angelina Sorrenti (Dominic) and Daniel Tucci (Sarah). Adored by his grandchildren, Amanda (Tristan), Jordan (Ashley), Brandan (Sandra), Noah, and Sophie, and his great-grandchildren Ally, Riley, and Emilia. Cherished brother, brother-in-law, and uncle to many.
Born in Bucchianico, Chieti, Italy to Angelina and Enrico, Nick was the second youngest of 7 siblings. As a teenager he left home and had the opportunity to travel to many different countries and learn a handful of different languages. At the age of 20 he found himself in Switzerland, where he spent some time as a glassblower – a skill he was especially proud of. From there he found a passion for learning and working with his hands. He made his way to Sault Ste Marie, where he met the love of his life, Pearl.
He worked for 32 years at Algoma Steel before retiring in 1998. It was in 2000 that he built his dream Lake Superior waterfront home on Whiskey Bay Road. He enjoyed the slower pace of life and had a passion for the great outdoors. He felt at peace surrounded by nature and enjoyed the company of the ducks that would visit him at the shoreline. He enjoyed many years of walks up the road with his canine best friend, Sandy, who he missed greatly these last few years.
If you were to ask us to describe him, we would offer you a coffee and some fig newtons and ask you to stay awhile. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He never met an animal he didn’t like, especially dogs. He was an avid gardener that could grow just about anything, anywhere. He even tried his skills at farming in the early days with rabbits, chickens and even a pony.
He was a talented woodworker and self-taught carpenter. There wasn’t a single thing he couldn’t fix, or at least it looked that way because he just hid the broken things in his garage where you couldn’t see them. He was organized in his very own way, you might not have been able to find the tools you needed, but he knew exactly where they were. He was always willing to lend a helping hand if someone needed to build something. In his later years he couldn’t get down on the ground to help as much - although he still tried because no one tells Nick he can’t do something. It was often joked that when grandpa came to supervise a task, ‘Norman the Foreman’ had arrived.
He had a sense of humor that was second to none and he was a trickster at heart. Even up to his last few days he was joking around and telling his grandchildren that he was tricking the doctors into thinking he wasn’t doing well so he could have visitors. He loved a good prank and when he had an idea for one, he committed to it wholly. One of our favorites is the time he carefully cracked open an entire bag of walnuts, removed each nut, and flawlessly glued each shell back together. He placed them in a bowl and patiently waited for someone to try and snack on them. The laughter that came from him when he watched his son-in-law open shell after shell to reveal an empty inside is one we will never forget.
He was a teacher, a leader, and he always had a solution to any problem anyone had. He was never short on advice, but because he was always right, we didn’t usually mind. If he ever tried to teach you something you’ve likely heard the words, “You No Liss!” He could solve a Rubik’s cube in under a minute and play the accordion. He was passionate about a few things, but nothing as fierce as making sure not a single berry from his bushes ever went to waste... oh, and you wouldn’t dare pick them if they weren’t ripe yet.
Nicky, Papa, Grandpa – It was so hard for us to let go of your physical presence, but it’s important for us to remember you will be with us in our memories of you. In every practical joke we play, in every fish we catch, in every paddle boat ride we take. In every broken item we fix with some duct tape, in every soap opera we watch, in the cabinets you built, the gardens you planted, and forever and always, in the love you left in our hearts.
Special thank you to Dr. Luke Fera for your kindness and compassion. We will never be able to thank you enough for the precious time you gave us this past week.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sault Area Hospital Foundation Critical Care Fund (payable to or online to).
A celebration of life will be planned for a later date.