Kindly make donations in his memory to the American Cancer Society 6800 Jericho Tpke, Ste. 200W Syosset, NY, 11791- Phone: (516) 921-6016 or Donate Blood and Platelets to the NY Blood Center

How do you describe the very essence of Vincenzo Nappo? He was a devoted husband of 57 years to the late Nancy, beloved father of Luisa, Rosanna, Paola, and Vincenzo, and adoring Nonno of Angela, Olivia and Vincent; father-in-law to Anthony, Aimee and Ken; loving son to the late Luisa Catapano Nappo and Paolo Nappo, brother to the late Augostino, Consiglia, Lucia, and Giuseppina, and pre-deceased by Fortunato, Anna, Pasquale, and Giuseppina; brother-in-law to countless in-laws, uncle, godfather and loyal friend and neighbor. Although he carried so many titles, it was that of Nonno that he cherished most for the past 15 years. He was so proud to attend their dance recitals and competitions, orchestra concerts, CYO basketball, T-ball and soccer games, graduations and blessed sacraments of Christenings, Communions, and Conformation. A hard-working man like no other with an unmatched work ethic!! He may have been thin in stature and garnered the nickname “Skinny,” but make no mistake, he was a Giant of a man. He was our hero!!

He came to this country from San Giuseppe, Vesuviano, in Napoli, Italia and learned the craft of masonry. In a very short time, he evolved to becoming the best bricklayer and foreman, with a strong sense of pride and conviction for a job well done with precision and excellence in every brick or block he placed. He persevered in his occupation as a bricklayer, working seven days a week in the spring and summer months to provide for his family. In his free time, he was an avid gardener of his beloved tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, zucchini, beans, lettuce, broccoli rabe and escarole. He was so generous with the fruits of his labor as no one left his house without a bag of garden vegetables. His many fruit trees included peaches, persimmons, and figs. He was known to experiment with a pit from his favorite fruits. He planted them to see if he could cultivate them into a tree, and sure enough he did. He had seven fig trees in all, two peach trees, two persimmon trees, and a cumquat tree or two. He had quite a green thumb. When anyone he knew bought a new home, he would cut a sprig from his fig trees and transplant it and give it as a house warming gift. Whenever he visited the house, the first thing he did was check on the fig tree to make sure it was still viable. He leaves behind many fig trees throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.

In his retirement, he was happiest in the kitchen as he developed a passion for cooking. Nothing gave him more pleasure than cooking for his family and friends. He especially loved watching his grandchildren enjoy his homemade fettucini and gnocci!! He loved cooking for everyone and anyone and cherished having family gather at his table. He was a dedicated member of the Dell’Assunta Society and took his role in setting up the beer stand tent very seriously and ran the beer stand for decades. Not only did he work hard in life, he fought even harder in illness. His early retirement years were spent in treatment fighting cancer. He was so courageous and strong filled with positivity and hope. He would assure mommy by telling her, I’m not going anywhere, and I’m going to beat this. And beat it he did!! She called him “Superman.” His tenacity and stubbornness served him well beating stomach cancer and later prostate cancer. But cancer treatments came with a price, as it is the gift that keeps on giving, and unfortunately, he could not beat the third and final cancer of leukemia. God saw his long suffering and said it was enough, my beloved child. Time to come home. His heart was broken when our mother passed. He was a lost soul. He is now finally home. God has reunited them in their rightful place as children of our heavenly Father. They never truly belonged to us. They were simply on loan to us from God, and we were so very blessed in our time loving them and being loved by them.

His life and battles are befitting of the lyrics of a favorite Christian song: Well done, well done, my good and faithful one; Welcome to the place where you belong; Well done, well done, my beloved child, you have run the race and now you're home. Welcome to the place where you belong. Well done Vincenzo! You’ve fought the good fight, you’ve run your last race. Now our Lord asks you to come to the His table, take a place beside the Savior, sit down and be set free. You are in your eternal home with your heavenly Father. You’re free to fly into the loving arms of Jesus. In your last lucid words, which we now say to you..... We will see you on the other side, daddy. Save us a seat at the table!

He loved so many, and wants us all to remember him, so in the lyrics of one of his favorite Italian songs, he says: Non ti scordar di me, La vita mia legata a te lo T’amo sempre piu Nel sogno mio rimani tu Non ti scordar di me La vita mia legate a te C’e sempre un nido nel mio cor per te Non ti scordar di me! Translation: Don't forget about me: My life is tied to you I love you more and more In my dreams you stay Don't forget about me My life is tied to you There's always a nest In my heart for you Don't forget about me Ci vediamo e Ti vogliamo bene, Babbo!