Obituary-Nicholas ‘Nick’ Tessitore

Nicholas ‘Nick’ Tessitore
11-4-1916 ~ 1-1-2013
Nicholas “Nick” Tessitore, Sr., 96, formerly of Walsenburg, Colo., died January 1, 2013 at Columbine Manor in Salida, Colo.
He was born November 4, 1916 in Farr, Colo., located above the Cameron Coal Camp west of Walsenburg, to Antonio and Angelina (Gordona) Tessitore. When Nick was small, the family moved to Walsenburg and lived on South Main Street. There were seven children that became orphans upon the death of his parents from a drowning accident and illness by 1925. The five oldest lived together and the younger sisters went to live in New York with an aunt and uncle. By the age of 17, he began living on his own, attending St. Mary School and working. He worked for the WPA (Works Progress Administration) under President Roosevelt and helped with various local projects. Within his early career, he was a coal miner, a laborer, a grocery clerk and a restaurant manager and owner. From 1933 – 1937, he fought as both an amateur and a professional boxer. Although, for 40 years he was most well known throughout the Walsenburg, Aguilar, Trinidad, and La Veta areas as the “milkman” when he delivered dairy products to surrounding businesses for the Walsenburg Creamery, Mountain Gold, Meadow Gold and Sintons. He retired in 1987. In 1936, on March 9th, Nick married Mary Kathryn Repola in Walsenburg. He lived, worked, and played all of his days in Walsenburg until the final years of his life.
One of the greatest pleasures in Mr. Tessitore’s life was to be on the dance floor with his wife. Nick and Mary would often be seen “cutting the rug” at weddings, celebrations, and on Saturday nights in the surrounding area. One of their favorite songs was Glenn Miller’s, “In the Mood.” He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends and working in his flower and vegetable gardens.
Mr. Tessitore was preceded in death by Mary, his beloved wife of 65 years; brothers, Sam and Peter Tessitore; sisters, Josephine Johnson, Millie Denise, Mary Spagnoli, Jenny Tessitore; grandchild, Eric Tessitore and great-grandchild, Torianna Tessitore.
Survivors include his children, Charlotte (Ernie) Martinez of Greeley, Colo.; Richard (Vickie) Tessitore of Tucson, Ariz., and Nick (Kathy) Tessitore, Jr. of Salida. Also, nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, including Rosalie Ritz of Walsenburg, Colo. and Angelina Gladson of Durango, Colo. also survive.
Celebration of life service will be held Friday, January 4, 2013 at 9 a.m. at Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home, Salida, Colo. Graveside services will follow at North St. Mary’s Cemetery in Walsenburg, Colo. at 2 p.m.
Condolences may be mailed to Nick and Kathy Tessitore at 130 Eaton St., Salida, CO, 81201.