Luigi Nito Dolcino

1921 - 2013

Luigi ("Nino") Nito Dolcino died Saturday, March 9th, 2013 surrounded by his family. He was born in Genoa, Italy August 20, 1921, the only child of Giuseppina (Frigoli) and Dario Dolcino. In 1940 he entered the University of Genoa to study medicine. Within a year he was drafted into the Italian army, mountain infantry, ultimately serving in the medical corps. After the war, he graduated from medical school and practiced as a physician in Genoa.

He immigrated to the United States in 1955 at the age of 34. In 1956 he completed his internship at St. John's Long Island City Hospital in New York City, and in 1959 completed his residency in psychiatry at the Marlboro State Hospital in New Jersey. He continued working at the Marlboro State Hospital after his residency.

In 1958 he made (as he always said) the best decision of his life and married Rose Moorman of Freehold, N.J. In 1967 he moved with his growing family to New Hampshire, and worked as a psychiatrist for 26 years at the New Hampshire State Hospital. He also worked at the Manchester VA Medical Center, at Carroll County Mental Health Services in Wolfeboro, for the Tribunal of the Diocese of Manchester, and maintained a private practice. He taught at the New Hampshire Hospital School of Nursing and the University of New Hampshire and served on the UNH Health Studies Visiting Committee. In 1980 he was a founding member of a union of professional staff at the New Hampshire Hospital formed to improve patient care.

His priorities were to live a simple life dedicated to his family and to relieving suffering through his chosen profession. He enjoyed hiking, sailing, canoeing and camping, and was a lifelong philosopher and avid reader. Nino was also an accomplished wood carver and artist and exhibited work through the New Hampshire Art Association and the Opus 71 Gallery.

He is survived by Rose, his devoted wife of 54 years; and their five children, Cristina Dolcino and her husband Michael Gass of Durham, Chiara Dolcino and her husband Michael Wimsatt of Concord, Darryl Dolcino and his wife Sarah of Bow, Douglas Dolcino and his wife Diana of Concord and Carina Dolcino of Durham; as well as 10 much-loved grandchildren, Anthony, Amaryth, Andrew, Austin, Zeb, Cole, Della, Isabelle, Oliver and Adele. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Schatzi, who brought him much joy.

He will be deeply missed by all his family and dear friends in New Hampshire, New Jersey and Italy.

A memorial mass will be held Saturday, March 23, at 10:30 a.m., at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 180 Loudon Road in Concord, with a reception at the church immediately following the mass.

There will be no visiting hours.

Donations may be made in Nino's memory to the New Hampshire Hospital Resident Trust Fund (Attn: Deb Robinson, 36 Clinton Street, Concord, NH, 03301) or to the Concord-Merrimack County SPCA.