Nicholas Anthony SPINELLA

SPINELLA, Nicholas Anthony, died November 2, 2009 after a long illness. He was born February 22, 1924 in Richmond, Va. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Beanie P. Spinella; two daughters, Debra S. Eubank and her husband, Thomas, and Joan S. Fargis and her boyfriend, Edward H. Brewer; three grandchildren, Thomas F. Eubank Jr. and his wife, Maryse, Nicholas C. Eubank and Lauren G. Fargis; one great-grandson, Thomas F. Eubank III; twin great-granddaughters, Ali A. and Mia L. Eubank; his brother, Joseph F. Spinella and his wife, Gloria; his sister, Beatrice S. Sykes and her husband, Linwood; his brother-in-law, John A. Passeri; and many nieces and nephews. Nick graduated from Benedictine High School in 1941 and received his law degree from The T.C. Williams School of Law, University of Richmond, in 1949, where he was a member of the McNeill Law Society and Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity. He practiced law for over 50 years with his firm, Spinella Owings & Shaia. He was a charter member of the Henrico County Bar Association and a member of the Richmond, the Virginia and the American Bar Associations. Nick was also a member of the American Academy of Hospital Attorneys and National Association of Diocesan Attorneys. In 1979, he was the recipient of the Tradition of Excellence Award from the Virginia State Bar. In 1982, he served as a member of a legislative study commission of the Virginia General Assembly, which resulted in the enactment of the Natural Death Act. He was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and was General Counsel for the Diocese of Richmond under Bishop John J. Russell and Bishop Walter F. Sullivan. He was a founding member of the Board of Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital and served as General Counsel for many years. Nick was active in the Richmond Serra Club of Serra International and served as World President of Serra International from 1981 to 1982. In 1982, Pope John Paul II presented Nick the Benemerenti Medal, the highest papal award for laity, and in 1980, he received the Brotherhood Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus and the Fourth Degree Knights and also served as Grand Knight. Nick was a member of the Giuseppe Verdi Lodge-Sons of Italy and the past president of the Italian and American Business and Professional Society. The family will receive friends Wednesday (today) at 4 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, where a Christian Wake service will be held at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday. Interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the staff of Comfort Care Home, The Haven and Hospice of Virginia for their patient and loving care of our husband and father. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church Building Fund, 9505 Gayton Rd., Richmond, Va. 23229 or the Alzheimer's Association, 4600 Cox Rd. Glen Allen, Va. 23060.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.