Obituary for Dr. Nicholas M. Renzi
I, Dr. Nicholas M. Renzi, died peacefully surrounded by my loving family on March 14, 2024 at the age of 87. I invite everyone to celebrate my life by making a child laugh, helping someone in need, or reminding someone not to worry, be happy.
I lived a beautiful life.
I was born to Italian immigrant parents, Domenica and Nicola Renzi, in 1936 and was the fourth of eight children. They fondly called me Junior. I had a humble childhood. My father worked on the railroad and had a bakery in the back of our house, and my mother stayed home and raised us. While humble, my parents were entrepreneurial, hard working, and proud, and instilled all of those values in me.
I met my loving wife, Joan, when I was sixteen years old and times were simpler. We married at seventeen and were happily married for 69 years. She was by my side every step of the way and provided unwavering love and support through it all up until my last breath. She was the love of my life.
I attended La Salle University and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine before beginning my career as a family practice physician in South Philadelphia. I had immense success and fulfillment as a physician and cared deeply about my patients. I like to think that I left the world a better place through my practice.
While proud of my career, I was most proud of the family my wife and I built. We had four beautiful, successful children, Nicholas (Denise Castelli), Dr. Joseph (Joann Giafaglione), Dr. Vincent (Claudia Ranieri), and Colette Giacobbo (Dr. Kenneth), who blessed us with fourteen grandchildren (Joseph (Nicole Sessions), Nicholas (Natalie Mannato), Daniel (Lauren Anello), Christopher (Nicole Marchesano), Andrew (Danielle Davis), Dr. Alexa Giacobbo (Dr. Aaron Fedor), Ava Giacobbo (Michael Duffin), Vincent, Alana Giacobbo, Santina, Andréa Giacobbo, Olivia, Samantha, Vanessa) and fifteen great grandchildren who affectionally called me Poppy.
I enjoyed my family trips to Disney World, spending my summers down the shore, playing pinochle and chess into the early morning hours, playing cards and shooting craps in Atlantic City with my wife, and drinking a crown royal Manhattan up, extra sweet with two cherries with a Pall Mall unfiltered cigarette in my hand. In my later days, I spent my time appreciating the simple moments in life. I liked to sit on my porch in Ventnor and watch my grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up before my eyes.
I lived my life my way. My life was not perfect, but I had no problems. I was lucky in love. And I was happy and blessed. I hope all who loved me will smile and laugh when remembering me for I lived a beautiful life.
All are invited to celebrate Nicholas’s life on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 from 9 AM to 10:30 AM at Saint Monica Catholic Church, 2422 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145, followed by a mass of Christian burial at 11 AM. Internment immediately following at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105
I lived a beautiful life.
I was born to Italian immigrant parents, Domenica and Nicola Renzi, in 1936 and was the fourth of eight children. They fondly called me Junior. I had a humble childhood. My father worked on the railroad and had a bakery in the back of our house, and my mother stayed home and raised us. While humble, my parents were entrepreneurial, hard working, and proud, and instilled all of those values in me.
I met my loving wife, Joan, when I was sixteen years old and times were simpler. We married at seventeen and were happily married for 69 years. She was by my side every step of the way and provided unwavering love and support through it all up until my last breath. She was the love of my life.
I attended La Salle University and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine before beginning my career as a family practice physician in South Philadelphia. I had immense success and fulfillment as a physician and cared deeply about my patients. I like to think that I left the world a better place through my practice.
While proud of my career, I was most proud of the family my wife and I built. We had four beautiful, successful children, Nicholas (Denise Castelli), Dr. Joseph (Joann Giafaglione), Dr. Vincent (Claudia Ranieri), and Colette Giacobbo (Dr. Kenneth), who blessed us with fourteen grandchildren (Joseph (Nicole Sessions), Nicholas (Natalie Mannato), Daniel (Lauren Anello), Christopher (Nicole Marchesano), Andrew (Danielle Davis), Dr. Alexa Giacobbo (Dr. Aaron Fedor), Ava Giacobbo (Michael Duffin), Vincent, Alana Giacobbo, Santina, Andréa Giacobbo, Olivia, Samantha, Vanessa) and fifteen great grandchildren who affectionally called me Poppy.
I enjoyed my family trips to Disney World, spending my summers down the shore, playing pinochle and chess into the early morning hours, playing cards and shooting craps in Atlantic City with my wife, and drinking a crown royal Manhattan up, extra sweet with two cherries with a Pall Mall unfiltered cigarette in my hand. In my later days, I spent my time appreciating the simple moments in life. I liked to sit on my porch in Ventnor and watch my grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up before my eyes.
I lived my life my way. My life was not perfect, but I had no problems. I was lucky in love. And I was happy and blessed. I hope all who loved me will smile and laugh when remembering me for I lived a beautiful life.
All are invited to celebrate Nicholas’s life on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 from 9 AM to 10:30 AM at Saint Monica Catholic Church, 2422 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145, followed by a mass of Christian burial at 11 AM. Internment immediately following at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105