Nicholas A. Luisi

AUBURN | Nicholas A. Luisi, 93, of Auburn, passed away peacefully early Monday morning, April 9, 2018, at Auburn Community Hospital.

He was born in Auburn, the son of the late Dominick (Tabac) and Carmela Sarno Luisi. He was the 9th of 10 children. He lived in Auburn most of his life, but resided in Arizona for more than 30 years after retirement. Later he moved back to his hometown, Auburn to be close to his family. Nick attended West High School where he was captain of the football team, and president of the class of 1942. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in his senior year and received a War Service Diploma. Nick was stationed in the China, Burma, India Campaign in the 40th photo Reconnaissance Squadron. After being honorably discharged from the military, he met and married Ellen A. Perrine in 1946. She was the love of his life and together they raised five children. He worked for Henry and Allen Company in Auburn, Sylvania Company in Seneca Falls, and retired from the Auburn Fire Department after 20 years. In the 50s and 60s, Nick also operated Luisi Greenhouse on Underwood Street with his father, Dominick. Nick enjoyed the outdoors, whether landscaping, or collecting fossils and different types of rock formations. He was a very talented artist having studied under Professor Walter Long at the Cayuga Museum. He was a member of the Daubers Club and served as president.

Nick cherished all the time he spent with his family because family always came first. It was part of his Italian heritage. He will be sadly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Ellen (Perrine) Luisi; two daughters, Anita (Thomas) Colvin, and Rita (Jere) Jacobs, all of Auburn; three sons, James (Margaret) Luisi, of Auburn, Jack (Beverly) Luisi, of Chandler, Ariz., and Jere (Brenda E.) Luisi, of South Phoenix, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Corey Colvin, Thomas (Bailey) Colvin, Nicole (Timothy) Stinneford, Paul W. Luisi, and Todd (Jessica) Luisi; four great-grandchildren, Thomas, Gage, and Cecilia Colvin, and Lennon Luisi; step granddaughter, Samantha Luisi and her daughter, Kirsten, and step grandson, Curtis Ford, all of Arizona, and sister-in-law Suzanne Luisi.

In addition to his parents, Nicholas was predeceased by two brothers, Lawrence and August Luisi; seven sisters, Rose Sciria, Angelica Busco, Antoinette Caruana, Carmel Criazzo, Ann Marie Simmons, Teresa and Angela Luisi, .

Nick had more than 50 nieces and nephews, all of whom treasured his company.

Calling hours will be held from 10 a.m. to noon this Friday morning, April 20, with services and military honors to immediately follow at noon, all at Pettigrass Funeral Home, 196 Genesee St., Auburn.

Contributions may be made in Nicholas’ memory to ALS Upstate NY Chapter, Old Cove Road, Suite 213, Liverpool, NY 13090, or to MS Resources of CNY Inc., 6743 Kinne St., P.O. Box 237, East Syracuse, NY 13057.

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