Nicholas W Depoole

Nicholas William DePoole, 89, born the 24th of November, 1927, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning on the 20th of July, 2017 in Largo, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julia and Frank DePoole, in addition to his older brother, Frank DePoole, and his younger brother, Richard DePoole.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Pat DePoole; his daughter Ann DePoole; his younger brother Joseph DePoole; his younger sister Evelyn Borders; his grandson Nik Byle and his wife Natalie; and his loyal dog Duffy. Nick was born in McVeigh, Kentucky, coal-mine country, and grew up during the Depression, during which he learned a good-natured frugality that would become one of his endearing features; nothing from a Thanksgiving turkey went to waste. He was always proud of his Italian and Kentuckian roots, which was often contained within self-deprecating “hillbilly” stories and jokes.

Driven by patriotism, Nick took liberties with his birth certificate and joined the United States Navy at sixteen years of age. He served in World War II’s Pacific theatre from 1944-1946, earning the Asiatic–Pacific Campaign ribbon and the World War II Victory ribbon. Many of is often-told stories come from this time in his life, and he was proud of his time in the Navy.

After serving, he married his wife Pat DePoole, née Vance, on the 6th of August, 1948. They enjoyed nearly seventy years together. Nick owned several gas stations and auto repair shops throughout his working life in addition to running a produce store for a time. He and Pat moved a number of times during their marriage – to Chicago in 1951, Detroit in 1964, and finally retired to Largo, Florida in April of 1981 where they have lived ever since.

His most defining characteristic was his inimitable sense of humor and conviviality that was undaunted by most circumstances; questions from doctors and nurses were often answered partially with a joke. Nick was able to make friends anywhere. Nick was an avid, competitive racquetball player and won several trophies in the sport. He was also an avid life-long golf player. Combining his love of golf and work in general, Nick worked part-time at various courses and driving ranges well into his eighties. He will be missed by friends and family.

His ashes will be interned at BAY PINES NATIONAL CEMETERY on the 11th of August, 2017 at 9:15 a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions in Nick’s memory be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at http://www.alz.org/