Eugene "Gene" Nicolelli

Eugene “Gene” J. Nicolelli, 88, was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 31, 2014 from his lifelong residence of Hibbing.

My name is Gene Nicolelli, Jr. and I have been asked by my mother and sister, to share with you some of my father’s life story.

Like many people who were caught on the wrong side of the Great Depression, my father had an impoverished childhood. As an adult he turned his humble beginnings into a most remarkable life.  He never dwelled on the past and instead focused on all the wonderful possibilities that laid in front of him.  A true optimist in every sense of the word.

My father was born in Hibbing on November 15, 1925 to Luigi and Ida (Dante) Nicolelli. He had two sisters, Grace (Tony Kotula) and Louise (Dan Perunovich), who both still reside in Hibbing.

He attend Assumption Hall and enlisted in the Navy at age 17.  Although he never completed high school he was given a diploma in 2000 which he proudly displaced in his home office.

He served as Pharmacist’s Mate, Second Class during WWII reaching the rank of Hospital Corpsman First Class during the Korean War.  He enjoyed his tours with the Navy and was proud of his service to his country.

My father first met my mother, Norma (Romani), during the period between the two wars.  For him it was love at first sight.  From that moment, he knew that she was the one.  His perseverance paid off, and they were married on October 10, 1953.  It was a love affair that lasted 60 years.  From that love they had two children Gene Jr. (Connie) and Lori (Ron Harter).  He was “Grandpa” to Chris (Karyn) and Lisa Harter and “Uncle Geno” to 23 nieces and nephews.

He worked for National Foods starting out in the produce department then climbed the ranks to assistant produce manager, produce manager, assistant store manager, store manager and then to district manager.  He left the grocery business after twenty-three years and became a sale representative for Prudential Insurance for fifteen years before retiring.

To say that my father was active in the community would be an understatement.  He volunteered for everything and was a huge promoter of his hometown.  After attempting to compile all the committees that he was on, clubs that he was a member of, and projects that he was involved in, we finally gave up and decided to just mention a few things.  The projects he mentioned the most were the Carey Lake Bike Trail, the clean-up of North Hibbing, the saving of the Androy, and the Greyhound Bus Museum.  The last two projects being his proudest civic achievements.

He was the longest continuous serving Council Member of Hibbing, at sixteen years.  He was also the shortest acting Mayor of Hibbing, at on day.  He rang the bell for the Salvation Army red bucket at Christmas time, delivered meals-on-wheels on Saturdays, and was the host of the local television program “Talk of the Town”.  However, if you were to ask him what he enjoyed most he would certainly say being invited to give talks or giving tours at the bus museum for grade school children.
He loved to sing, although we was no Frank Sinatra.  He sang in the church choir, in a number of theater productions, and even put together a solo act consisting of a microphone, amplifier and tape recorder and toured the nursing home circuit.  He could play drums and trumpet and even learned how to play an ethnic four string bass guitar that I cannot remember the name of.

He was also an artist. He could draw, paint and sculpt.  Many of the displays at the Greyhound Bus Museum he designed and built.  He also built displays for the Minnesota Museum of Mining and for the Hull Rust Mine.  My parent’s house contains portraits, various animal drawings and metal sculptures of sail boats and tree leaves that he created.

My father received many awards and honors from the citizens of Hibbing.  For every award and every honor he was truly humbled.  For you see, my father’s community service was his way of repaying the people of Hibbing for providing him and his family a livelihood.  His words, not mine.

On behalf of my father, Norma, Lori and I would like to thank all the wonderful residents, past and present, of Hibbing for supporting and contributing to all of his endeavors these many years.

Funeral services for Gene will be held at 10:30am, Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hibbing.  The Rev. Fr. Gabriel Waweru will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral Mass at the church on Saturday.  Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing.  Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.

To sign Gene’s online register, please visit us at www.doughertyofhibbing.com.

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